Industry Skills Scan - forestworks.com.au · (Industry Skills Scan and Industry Skills Outlook),...

2012

Industry Skills ScanA research summary of the forest and timber products industry developments and directions impacting on skills, training and workforce demands.

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Acknowledgements

The work undertaken in developing this forest, wood, paper and timber products Industry Skills Scan 2012 involves the contribution of numerous industry stakeholders and other participants. ForestWorks acknowledges and thanks all contributors for their efforts in ensuring that this report accurately reflects the state of the industry and its skills needs for 2012 and the year ahead.

ForestWorks wishes to publicly recognise that this report was produced with the assistance of funding provided by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

ForestWorks would like to thank all contributors for the use of their photographs in this publication.

Photography

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Executive Summary 5

Section One Latest intelligence 6

Sector Overview 12

Section two Analysis of workforce development needs 14

Section three Current impacts of training packages 36

Section Four Future directions for endorsed components of training packages 40

Appendix I Current and future projects 44

Appendix II Innovation and highlights of recent technological developments that add value to timber manufactured products 45

Appendix III Enrolments in training packages – national and state 46

Appendix IV Scope of each industry sector 48

Appendix V Report on previous continuous improvement activity 49

Appendix VI Methodology 50

references 51

contents

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Feedback

Feedback can be made at any time to:

Jane Bartier ForestWorks 559A Queensberry Street, North Melbourne Vic 3051 [email protected]

This report is an ongoing annual opportunity to ensure industry directions and emerging issues are conveyed to government. This advice goes to assist the implementation of strategies to support industry critical skills and training issues.

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The resource that the forest and timber products industry grows, develops, invests in and manages – forests and wood – provides a unique contribution to our future low-carbon economy. Unlike other renewable resources, this industry’s resource requires a large investment of financial capital (with long-term returns) so that the resource can be renewed (i.e. replanted and growth managed over time).

People, skills and knowledge – both within the industry and outside it – are responsible for effectively creating, utilising and capitalising on the values that this industry brings to society and to the national economy. These values are numerous and include traditional timber uses, as well as carbon storage, a low-energy alternative to energy-intensive construction materials, bioenergy and forests for recreational uses.

This report presents the current understanding of the ‘new normal’ economic environment for this industry and how the future can be shaped by its people, their skills and knowledge. Some of the strategies suggested in this report are indicative and propose directions for meeting the current and future skills demand of the industry, while others (see Section Four) are ForestWorks ISC’s strategies to meet these needs.

The information in this report is founded on intense industry engagement activities, robust data collection methodology from industry participants and an in-depth local and national analysis. This report forms the first part of a series of two publications (Industry Skills Scan and Industry Skills Outlook), which are produced by ForestWorks ISC annually.

This report’s key points relate to:

Opportunities and potential opportunities The ‘new normal’ of the economic environment has changed the nature of economic opportunities that are available to this industry. Innovation and the roles of governments in sustainable, low-carbon businesses and workforce development remain areas for this industry to focus on for opportunities.

Challenges Volatile markets, increased competition for access to land, wood and labour, new costs and specific skill shortages, as well as competition from imported and dumped products constitute new pressures that create challenges across the sustainable forest, wood, paper and timber products industry.

Fundamental principles for a sustainable future The forest, wood, paper and timber products industry is the only industry that naturally captures and stores carbon via its products – forests and timber products. Unlike other industries that produce energy-intensive materials such as steel, aluminium and concrete, this industry responds to market demands with sustainable, low-carbon, high-performing products. Furthermore, this industry’s large presence in regional economies has significantly contributed to achieving and developing community stability over many years. Value to communities, productivity, efficiency, innovation and profitability remain important fundamentals to this industry, to consolidate its future and offer sustainable employment options.

People, knowledge, skills and workforce development To be successful in the ‘new normal’ economic environment, enterprises in this industry, like those in other industries, will respond with new business models, products and systems, flexibility in product supply and supply chains, diversification and integration of shared production platforms, innovation and exceptional service through enhanced communication with communities and marketplaces. This will require new knowledge and new ways of thinking and working.

Skills and knowledge constitute the primary resource for enterprises to innovate and create new business models that respond to opportunities, allow for higher productivity and efficiency, and satisfy community needs. This capability, which is able to deliver systematic innovation capacity at a workplace level, needs to be developed and supported via increasingly sophisticated workforce development strategies and skills and knowledge ecosystems.

The development of robust technical and vocational skills, foundation skills, basic skills and cognitive skills continues to remain important, as does the increasing need for a greater spread of analytical skills, operations management skills, knowledge of new technologies and flexible supply chains.

Enterprises are applying approaches that foster efficiency and innovation in the workplace via the distribution of technical competences, both within the production workforce and the supply chain.

The industry is currently facing a significant loss of engineers, skilled tradespeople, drivers and machine operators to the buoyant resources sector and this is having a detrimental effect on business productivity and growth.

ForestWorks ISC continues to interact widely with the industry and governments to find ways to engage all parties to further embrace innovation and adaptation through skills development.

Executive Summary

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Section One: latest Intelligence

Skills and knowledge constitute the primary resource for enterprises to innovate and create new business models that respond to opportunities, create higher productivity and efficiency, and satisfy community needs.

the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry operates, alongside many other manufacturing industries, in a new economic environment that features dynamic and highly competitive international conditions.Growth patterns of the global and domestic economy are fundamentally different since the global financial crisis. Companies are facing an uncertain and very competitive environment and, with relatively low unemployment rates domestically, people are seeking high-quality, secure and sustainable jobs.

The high Australian dollar is causing this industry (together with many others) to experience more pressure than usual from imported products, including product dumping. In addition to this high level of competitive pressure, Australia currently has weak consumer and new housing demand including low confidence to invest in business by both business and the finance sector. A number of other factors such as flooding in Queensland and other regions, storm damage to trees, increased bushfire and disease risk are adding strain to the industry.

this ‘new normal’ has changed the nature of the opportunities that are available to this industry. While governments encourage sustainable, low-carbon approaches, trade policies, tax incentives, land use policies and new carbon legislation have not leveraged, as yet, prospects for improving competitiveness for this industry which competes against higher

carbon products. A review of national and state policies regarding land use, energy and material requirements for our society is essential to safeguard investment in a national resource and ensure productive capabilities for generations to come. Innovation and the roles of governments in sustainable, low-carbon businesses and workforce development remain areas that this industry can focus on for opportunities.In recent years, development in this industry has been inhibited by the scale of change and uncertainty regarding access to forest resource. However industry leaders recognise that significant drivers for change are within the field of national policies that, with the right settings, could boost forestry growth and contribute substantially to a low-carbon economy.

An improved national anti-dumping framework, for instance, is being developed by the government, together with the domestic manufacturing industry, for better responsiveness to unlawful competition in local markets. At the ForestWorks 2011 Annual Industry Development Conference in Canberra, Senator Nick Xenophon said to industry, “The dumping of goods destroys domestic markets”, “there needs to be international competitiveness, but similarly there needs to be adequate support for domestic manufacturers to ensure we can compete”. It is clear that in many areas of competition, Australia does not have a level playing field, including Australian-based companies having to meet high standards in many areas of their business; standards that do not apply to imported products or the manufacturing processes.

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New opportunities for this industry have the potential to be created by Clean Energy Future legislation. However, unlike that in other countries, the legislation excludes the under-utilised Australian woody biomass derived from bioenergy generation. Hence, many planned new investments for this industry have been halted (Australian Forest Products Association, 2011).

Innovation and the role of governments in sustainable, low-carbon businesses and workforce development remain areas that this industry can focus on for opportunities. the development, within a difficult financial environment, of a number of new investment projects in this industry demonstrates commitment to maintaining an effective manufacturing presence in the national economy and a readiness to explore genuine opportunities.Innovative technologies, carbon offset and biofuel represent trends for new development and investment in this industry.

Gunns Limited’s Bell Bay Pulp Mill in Tasmania is the most significant project in the industry and represents the largest investment in processing of forest fibre in Australia’s history. Other investment in the industry continues at a level that reflects the uncertainty in the economy. The projects are smaller and largely focus on increasing capacity. These projects include the construction of a new green mill, planner and timber treatment plant at Dongwha Timbers sawmill in Bombala, New South Wales; the launch of an innovative Light Organic Solvent Preservative treatment plant in Victoria by Davids Timber; a new plywood mill in regional Victoria by Carter Holt Harvey and investments to upgrade production lines at the Ingleburn and Albury mills in New South Wales.

Some projects have also been initiated to branch into new markets such as carbon-offset farming, wood biofuel (including developments commenced by Virgin Australia Partners in Western Australia; Plantation Energy Australia in Western Australia; Energy Parks Australia Pty in partnership with Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation in Queensland; and South East Fibre Exports in New South Wales) and ‘carbon-negative electricity’ projects (such as the electricity and biochar plant developed by Pacific Pyrolisis in Melbourne). Additional details on these investment projects are presented in Appendix I.

Several Federal Government initiatives offer opportunities for this industry. These include the New Clean Technology Program, Biochar Capacity Building Program and Action on the Ground Program. They provide support for activities that will reduce the exposure of manufacturers to the impact of the carbon price, especially related to rising electricity prices, the development of biochar offset methodologies and on-farm practices and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase soil carbon.

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the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry is the only industry that naturally captures and stores carbon via its forests and timber products. unlike other industries that produce energy-intensive materials such as steel, aluminium and concrete, this industry responds to market demands with sustainable, low energy, high-performing products. It is also a prime emission-offsetting option for large, polluting industries and has the potential to expand its contribution to the production of alternative electricity and fuel. Still further, by having a large presence in regional economies, this industry has managed to achieve and develop community stability over many years. Value to communities, productivity, efficiency, innovation and profitability remain important fundamentals to this industry, to consolidate its future and offer sustainable employment options.

Regardless of the economic, environmental, social and political parameters, our nation and the world needs more forests and timber products. With this principle in mind, industry representatives, members of Federal Parliament and union leaders gathered in 2011 at the ForestWorks Annual Industry Development Conference to strengthen views, collaborate and outline actions with the aim of improved productivity, efficiency and profitability outcomes.

Volatile markets, increased competition for access to land, wood and labour, new costs and specific skill shortages, as well as competition from imported and dumped products constitute new pressures that create challenges within the sustainable forest, wood, paper and timber products industry.

The challenge of unstable markets

For an industry that produces for both domestic and international markets, lasting and elevated uncertainty in the global economic landscape continues to affect business.

Uncertainty weakens consumer and business confidence and creates credit shortages in financial markets. Instability in markets results in fluctuations of the wholesale price across the supply chain, which impacts on costs and economic feasibility of enterprises.

The 2011 downturn in residential building commencements and construction in all states across Australia, which came after a recovery in 2009-10, and an increased trend in sawn wood imports, are examples of such effects and consequences. The situation has been surrounded by further marked falls in activity and decreases in new orders, in particular in the sawmilling and processing sector across all states.

The challenge of increased competition for access to forest resources

Competition for wood and wood fibre has intensified globally due to the rapid growth in consumption of wood products and wood energy in Europe, US and, increasingly, in Asia.

Exports of primary resources such as hardwood woodchips (from plantation regions in Western Australia and Victoria and, to a lesser extent, from Tasmania) and logs increased significantly over the past five years, particularly since

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2009–10. Statistics indicate a 43% increase in value of log exports over the last year.

Furthermore, the area of broadleaf plantations is in decline and the rate of new plantation establishments is falling significantly – 72% since 2006-07. While China, India and Vietnam are undertaking large-scale forest planting programs and developing incentive programs for small landholders to plant more trees. Australia is still seeking forest growth strategies. The recommendations and comments from the House of Representatives’ review of the industry outline a potential new national framework able to provide an adequate supply of wood for future needs in Australia.

Climate change is also going to affect forest productivity across many regions of Australia. According to ABARES (2011c) the impacts will be seen on reduced tree growth rates and on reduction of log supply for some species, such as radiata pine.

Put simply, competition for forest resources is increasing and industry’s access to local forest resources is diminishing. In the medium to long term, this will lead to reductions in the levels of production and employment. Countries like Canada, which faces similar challenges, are undergoing a review of local log export policy to see whether more needs to be done to balance exports and domestic needs.

The challenge of new costs and labour/skill shortages

The patchwork of differing levels of economic growth within Australia is adding additional challenges to the manufacturing and distribution sectors of the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry, including new costs, and labour and skill shortages.

The resources sector’s new growth projects compete among themselves and with other industries for the same skills, raising wage levels and property costs in related regions. As a result, businesses in the forest and timber products industry have seen a significant loss of engineers, skilled tradespeople, drivers and machine operators and the conditions suggest that the industry will continue to be exposed to a shortage of specialised skilled labour and additional costs.

The cost complexity in the industry is also impacted by the high Australian dollar, which influences fuel costs and imported equipment (for companies that venture into investing in new,

innovative technologies) and affects the trade of secondary forest products (i.e. imports are being favoured). An ongoing challenge is the potential impact of the carbon price across the sectors of this industry, from the forest growing and management sector through to the manufacturing sectors, and the level of policy focus afforded to this industry.

The challenge of competition from dumped products

High volumes of sometimes low-margin products from emerging Asian economies continue to be distributed in our domestic markets at costs below production levels and this is having a negative impact on domestic businesses and the industry.

Imports of forest products (except pulp) increased in value by 5% since 2009-2010 and is marked in particular by the higher supply of wood-based panels from China, as well as sawn wood for domestic housing from traditional supplier countries.

A clear example of a casualty of dumped goods and the high exchange rate is the large paper and tissue manufacturer Kimberly-Clark Australia, which closed two of four tissue machines at its Millicent mill in 2011 with a loss of more than 235 highly skilled jobs in the regional South Australia community.

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to be successful in the ‘new normal’ economic environment, enterprises in this industry, like those in other industries, will respond with new business models products and systems, flexibility in product supply and supply chains, diversification and integration of shared production platforms, innovation and exceptional service through enhanced communication with communities and marketplaces. this will require new knowledge and new ways of thinking and working.Business models are evolving within this industry in Australia, and strategies that are often being adopted include:

Consolidation/partnership of small businesses on both horizontal and vertical levels of the production chain into larger businesses with economies of scale

Greater adoption of contemporary manufacturing principles, new technologies and information systems to increase productivity and create fast-flowing supply chains

A focus on a wider range of products and integrated production platforms

Adoption of new technologies to replace labour in skill shortages areas

Increased collaboration and contribution to global production chains and markets

Attention to innovation and exceptional service

Skills and knowledge constitute the primary resource for enterprises to innovate and create business models that respond to opportunities, allow for higher productivity and efficiency, and satisfy community needs. this ability to deliver systematic innovation capacity at a workplace level, needs to be developed and supported via more sophisticated workforce development strategies and skills and knowledge ecosystems. The system that people work within and the management and workers’ skills and knowledge must be improved. Skills have a critical importance in innovation yet no one can be more efficient if the system does not support them to be. Consequently, a skilled and knowledgeable management plays a key role in driving innovation and productivity and allowing for innovation to occur within an organisation.

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In this light, ForestWorks ISC recognises that learning and development must go beyond training and create learning cultures in organisations and across all positions within organisations. This means that leadership teams need to apply approaches to foster efficiency and innovation in workplaces by mentoring production workers to be proactive in cooperative teams; motivating workers to provide feedback, experiment, reflect and act on information; and distributing technical competence both within the production workforce and across the users of goods and services.

To create business models and compete successfully, leaders in this industry will need to expand knowledge in areas of:

Identifying potential areas of innovation in their business (products, processes, supply chains)

New technologies to design operations for flexible product supply

Strategies used by others and demonstrated to be effective in different business and dynamic environments

Workers at all other levels will need access to skills development that supports the concept of innovation and product distribution. These include:

Technical and digital skills to implement and use advanced production techniques and tools, as well as to process digital information

Greater analytical skills to undertake market analysis, operation planning and analysis of processes

Significant operations management skills to:

- respond quickly to changes in processes to support product customisation and rapid increases in output when needed

- manage production platforms that allow both high-end and low-end products to be produced at the same facility or even on the same assembly line, or

- run both a small craft shop and mass production line as a part of single value chain

Skills to manage language, regulatory, duty and tax issues, as well as to manage new levels of complexity

To build these competences and be successful in dynamic circumstances, a skill base that integrates robust technical and vocational skills, foundation skills, basic skills (for personal management – self confidence, goal setting, motivation, career development – and interpersonal communication)

and cognitive skills (outlining adaptability through problem solving and creative thinking) is necessary. These skills continue to form the employability skills of today and for the future.

As outlined in Sections Three and Four of this report, ForestWorks ISC continues to make significant efforts to support the industry to build a skill base for higher productivity and innovation. We continue to actively interact with the industry and government to find ways to engage all parties in playing a significant role in fulfilling innovation and adaptation needs via appropriate skills and knowledge development.

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Forest Growing and Management

Harvesting and Haulage Sawmilling and Processing

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing

Timber Manufactured Products

Wood Panel and Board Production

Timber Merchandising

Sector profile Responsible for managing 11 million hectares of forest from the 150 million hectares of total forest area

40% reduction in the new planted area from 2007 to 2009

Business/labour force mobility expected to continue over the next few years

Communication skills and skills for carbon farm forestry will underline the sector in the short term

Harvests approximately 30 million cubic metres of wood per annum

Movement away from harvesting native forest has affected Tasmanian contractors

Biomass harvesting will provide long-term opportunities alongside plantation harvesting if bio-plants operate on a large scale

Responsible for primary and secondary conversion of Australian timber harvest

Hardwood from plantations is becoming the main production supply and requires technical and skills upgrades

Most training continues to be driven by compliance with safety standards

Any appropriate policies for biofuel and bioenergy production will attract a range of new skill needs

Ongoing sector reform started in 2010 with the strategy proposed by Pulp and Paper Industry Strategy Group

Any changes brought by new technological upgrades and extension into the renewable energy area will attract new skill needs

Employs 37,800 people.

New levels of regulations from building codes and energy rating systems increase the access to construction and building materials market.

Adoption of new technological and material design developments will require higher levels of skill

Provides a range of engineered wood products primarily to the building industry

Market climate has prevented investments in the latest technology

Industry-wide transition to a production based on plantation forest resources could represent a long-term opportunity

Employs 22,000 people. Wholesaling sector alone employed 6100 people by 2009

Entering the category of highly specialised retail businesses

Requires high level timber and wood-specific knowledge

Highly exposed to due diligence practices in purchasing timber products

Skill shortages (shortage of skilled workers)

Foresters (professional)

Forestry workers (including cultivators, forest technical officer, arborist)

Forestry trainers and assessors

Mechanical harvesting operator and manual chainsaw harvester

In-field chipping operators

Truck drivers

Steep terrain work/manual fallers in steep terrain

Timber drying/kiln operators

Sawdoctors

Saw operators

Machine/operation/ plant supervisors

Truck drivers, forklift operators, electricians, mechanics

No industry-specific skill shortages

Chemical and electrical engineers

Maintenance fitters (electricians, mechanics, boiler makers, plumbers)

Woodmachinists

Designers

Estimator/detailers for roof trusses, floor systems and wall frames

Truck drivers, forklift operators

Maintenance fitters (electricians, plumbers, mechanics)

Mobile equipment operators

Stock inventory officers

Sales/marketing representatives (sales assistants, salespersons, retail supervisors)

Warehouse managers

Timber yard operators


Skill gaps (skills gaps in existing workforce)

Specialised skills in geographic information systems (GIS)

Skills in resource analysis and management of environmental risks

Skills in small business management

Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills at business management level

Skills to supervise and manage forest harvesting operations

Skills in grading logs (segregation and marking to maximise the value of the timber)

Skills in fire management and fire salvage operations

IT knowledge to support increasingly mechanised equipment

Skills in timber treatment

Digital skills to support computer-based equipment

Technical skills among pulp and paper operators to operate highly integrated and up-to-date machinery and equipment

(Remote) control systems and production operations skills and knowledge

Line management and team leader skills for production line supervisors

Operator-level maintenance skills

Digital skills to operate computer-based equipment

Multitasking skills to operate advanced and complex operation machineries

Technical skills of new and existing operators to use sector-specific new technologies

General knowledge about timber and timber products

Analytical skills

Emerging skill needs Skills in strategic communication, community and customer relations

Skills for ‘carbon sink’ farm forestry/agroforestry

Skills for advanced technologies

Skills for forest growing and management in far northern Australia

Skills in cording and matting of log extraction tracks and log processing loading areas

Skills for operating biomass harvesting machinery

Truck drivers for larger truck (B-double, B-triple)

Skills for processing plantation hardwood resources

Skills for implementing due diligence code of practices (illegal logging legislation)

Skills for new timber drying techniques

Skills for biofuels and bioenergy

Skills for measuring the impact of businesses on sustainable development

Skills for future environmental sustainability developments

Skilling new labour for pulp and paper manufacturing operations



Skills for measuring the carbon footprint




Sector Overview

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Harvesting and Haulage Sawmilling and Processing


Timber Manufactured Products


Timber Merchandising

Sector profile Responsible for managing 11 million hectares of forest from the 150 million hectares of total forest area

40% reduction in the new planted area from 2007 to 2009

Business/labour force mobility expected to continue over the next few years

Communication skills and skills for carbon farm forestry will underline the sector in the short term

Harvests approximately 30 million cubic metres of wood per annum

Movement away from harvesting native forest has affected Tasmanian contractors

Biomass harvesting will provide long-term opportunities alongside plantation harvesting if bio-plants operate on a large scale

Responsible for primary and secondary conversion of Australian timber harvest

Hardwood from plantations is becoming the main production supply and requires technical and skills upgrades

Most training continues to be driven by compliance with safety standards

Any appropriate policies for biofuel and bioenergy production will attract a range of new skill needs

Ongoing sector reform started in 2010 with the strategy proposed by Pulp and Paper Industry Strategy Group

Any changes brought by new technological upgrades and extension into the renewable energy area will attract new skill needs

Employs 37,800 people.

New levels of regulations from building codes and energy rating systems increase the access to construction and building materials market.

Adoption of new technological and material design developments will require higher levels of skill

Provides a range of engineered wood products primarily to the building industry

Market climate has prevented investments in the latest technology

Industry-wide transition to a production based on plantation forest resources could represent a long-term opportunity

Employs 22,000 people. Wholesaling sector alone employed 6100 people by 2009

Entering the category of highly specialised retail businesses

Requires high level timber and wood-specific knowledge

Highly exposed to due diligence practices in purchasing timber products


Foresters (professional)

Forestry workers (including cultivators, forest technical officer, arborist)

Forestry trainers and assessors

Mechanical harvesting operator and manual chainsaw harvester

In-field chipping operators

Truck drivers

Steep terrain work/manual fallers in steep terrain

Timber drying/kiln operators

Sawdoctors

Saw operators

Machine/operation/ plant supervisors

Truck drivers, forklift operators, electricians, mechanics


Chemical and electrical engineers

Maintenance fitters (electricians, mechanics, boiler makers, plumbers)

Woodmachinists

Designers

Estimator/detailers for roof trusses, floor systems and wall frames


Maintenance fitters (electricians, plumbers, mechanics)

Mobile equipment operators

Stock inventory officers

Sales/marketing representatives (sales assistants, salespersons, retail supervisors)

Warehouse managers

Timber yard operators


Skill gaps (skills gaps in existing workforce)

Specialised skills in geographic information systems (GIS)


Skills in small business management

Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills at business management level

Skills to supervise and manage forest harvesting operations

Skills in grading logs (segregation and marking to maximise the value of the timber)

Skills in fire management and fire salvage operations

IT knowledge to support increasingly mechanised equipment

Skills in timber treatment





Operator-level maintenance skills

Digital skills to operate computer-based equipment


Technical skills of new and existing operators to use sector-specific new technologies


Analytical skills

Emerging skill needs Skills in strategic communication, community and customer relations


Skills for advanced technologies


Skills in cording and matting of log extraction tracks and log processing loading areas


Truck drivers for larger truck (B-double, B-triple)

Skills for processing plantation hardwood resources













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Section two: Analysis of Workforce development needs

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Section two: Analysis of Workforce development needs

Trends and conditions in this sector

The impact of the global financial crisis compounded by drought, fire and storms

Australia’s hardwood plantation estate expanded strongly from 1999 to 2006-07 but has experienced reduced growth since the global financial crisis. This reduction in replanted areas across all regions has lowered the demand for forest service activities including plant nursery activities. Additionally, natural phenomena (such as the latest cyclone in Queensland that destroyed over 10,000 hectares of mature pine plantation and the effects of climate change (drought, flood and bushfires) affect forests’ productivity, forest growth and wood production. and the suitability of resources for their intended production purposes. In Queensland the industry is yet to receive confirmation that the cyclone-affected area will be replanted.

Changes and challenges

This sector is undergoing significant change and challenge at the moment, and what happens in this sector is vital to planning, investment and employment in the other sectors.

An example of this is the plantation management company, African Mahogany Australia, which recently purchased Willmott Forests’ plantations in the Douglas Daly region of the Northern Territory and plans to expand plantation area in the region for high-quality wood products including veneer (Primary Industries Training Advisory Council (NT) - Forest Works correspondence, Jan 2012). If or when this plantation development expands, it will provide opportunities for investment, downstream processing, employment and workforce development in regional Australia.

Sector compositionThe forest growing and management sector includes all businesses that manage plantation estates, native forests and farm forests for the production of commercial wood and wood fibre, carbon offsets and recreation and conservation benefits. It also includes forest service-related businesses (contractors) that undertake activities of reforestation, conservation, nursery and planting, tree pruning and thinning, fire fighting, pest control, forest science research and forestry economics. Trends and conditions in this sector.

Section two: Forest growing and management

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Transition to plantation from native resources

As more of Australia’s timber and wood products is sourced from various types of plantations and less from native forests, these trends will impact on silvicultural and harvesting contractors across regions as the demand for work changes. Harvesting from plantations requires different skills and procedures than harvesting from native forests.

Skills shortages

The sector remains, however, in high demand of professional foresters given the low rate of forester graduates. This is due to an ageing workforce, with many workers expected to retire within the next 5-10 years, and the difficulty of attracting a new, younger workforce. Moreover if the rate of new plantings recovers in the near future, this sector will continue to be highly challenged by silvicultural skills shortages.

Promoting our sustainable careers

Through a number of initiatives, the industry has endeavoured to overcome the shortage of forestry graduates by introducing scholarships, marketing campaigns, community engagement and collaborative approaches with education providers. ForestWorks ISC has also advanced the new nationally endorsed Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability to strengthen the skills base in this area, by creating pathways between Vocational Education and Training (VET) and higher education. The Parliamentary inquiry into the future of Australian forestry industry highlighted the importance of encouraging more students to undertake forestry degrees.

Effects of the Tasmanian industry restructure

In Tasmania 430,000 hectares of productive native forests have been placed in informal reserves awaiting a review of their conservation values following the Tasmanian Forest Statement of Principles and Intergovernmental Agreement. As a result, a large number of haulage, harvesting and silvicultural contractors are exiting public native forest operations. However, if plantation activity increases

in Tasmania in the medium to long term, skills will again be in demand.

Increased complexity demands new skills

Over recent years there has been also a transition from a primarily Government-owned and regulated plantation industry to one that is predominantly privatised and corporatised. The change in ownership has required policy changes, new regulation and combined with a wider mix of product lines has introduced challenges and complexity in forest management and supply chains. This complexity requires improved technical and analytical skills, knowledge and literacy, and supervisory skills.

New legislation drives change

The industry in South Australia is exploring similar approaches as other states with the State Government proposing the forward sale of up to three rotations of harvesting rights of softwood plantations in the state’s south-east. Concerns regarding the future use of these forest resources have been expressed by industry and the community and the Government is seeking advice and views from industry stakeholders and community to finalise specific conditions of the proposed sale. A further controversial issue for the industry in South Australia is the potential detrimental impact of water licences as a result of new regulations under the Natural Resources Management (Commercial Forests) Amendment Bill. This will have a significant financial impact on the industry. This may cause forestry investors to move their investments into other jurisdictions that do not have such legislation, resulting in employment implications for local communities that depend on this industry.

Carbon initiatives encourage diversification

Nationally, the Clean Energy Future legislation stands as a driver of change for this sector. It provides ‘not for harvest’ reforestation carbon-offset projects with access to carbon markets. Offsetting carbon via forests is likely to become a more important component of a diversified forestry industry into the future. Farm forestry (or agroforestry) is also likely to expand and forestry

graduates and farm managers will increasingly need to combine expertise in forestry with knowledge of numerous other land uses.

Sophisticated new technology calls for advanced skills

Highly advanced technology that assists in forest planning and forest operations, as well as in fire and pathogen management, and in the cultivation of trees, is widely used in this sector. Technical and digital skills to use these new information technologies (including remote sensing technologies, mobile GIS applications and forest information management and decision support tools) are important for the development of this sector. Identification of tree genetic codes, collection in centralised databases and log traceability is another area where digital technology is finding its applicability within this industry.

Investing in skills

Skill development in this sector continues to consist of using, at the enterprise level, national training package units of competency, in conjunction with on-the-job learning. Application of government funding to support competency development and recognition from the Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package has increased by 12% in this sector in 2010 - 11 compared to the previous year. In particular, enrolments feature a growth in Certificate III and IV in Forest Growing and Management across all the states and territories (except Northern Territory). Of these, 42 trainees from one employer accessed funding through the Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program (EBPPP). Higher enrolments were also recorded for Certificate II in Queensland, New South Wales and Northern Territory (refer to government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications tables in Section Three and Appendix III).

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Forest growing and managementWorkforce development needs

Rationale and challenges Potential strategies for enterprises, industry associations, union, RTOs and ForestWorks ISC


Forester (professional) Foresters remain in high demand nationally due to an ageing workforce and difficulty attracting younger workers. Enrolments in Bachelor of Forest Science and Management and Master of Forestry have declined over recent years meaning the rate of forestry graduates will remain low for the next several years. (ForestWorks ISC, 2011; Fégely, 2010).

The industry has endeavoured to overcome the student shortage by introducing scholarships and marketing campaigns (such as the www.growingcareers.com.au website resourced by FWPA) and via community engagement and collaboration. Results are targeted over the medium to longer term.

Forestry worker (including cultivator, arborist and forest technical officer)

The vocational-level workforce engaged in forest growing and management, forest operations and primary processing remains less formally qualified than all other primary industry sectors (Pratley et al, 2010).In Victoria, the extensive replanting of native and plantation forests, destroyed by the 2009 bushfires, continues to require workers.

Investigation of flexible training approaches is being undertaken. Under consideration are modes such as teleconference, Skype, flexible modules, etc. or partnerships between organisations. Consideration is being given to a ’shared labour pool’ or ’integrated training solutions’ with other industries in the local area with similar labour skills (i.e. linking seasonal work in viticulture or horticulture).

Forestry trainer and assessor

The regional nature of this sector and the lack of constant demand/ enrolments for forestry vocational qualifications have restricted trainers. The ongoing viability, capacity and efficiency of training providers are all under pressure.

ForestWorks ISC is assisting the sector and training providers to coordinate a critical mass of trainees at a national level and the use of existing learning and assessment resources. We are also promoting links between RTO trainers and assessors and workplace trainers.

Skill gaps (skill gaps in existing workforce)

Specialised skills in GIS The use of GIS for collecting forest information (mapping and spatial statistics of inventory within coupes) and IT technologies for integrated harvest planning (growth models, logistics software, harvest planning and compartment allocation models, reporting and communication services) have expanded rapidly as part of the Environmental Management System of the plantation estates.

ForestWorks ISC is working with universities to develop relevant GIS education resources relevant and to deliver programs. Enterprises can also use mechanisms established by associations at the sector level to promote opportunities in this field, especially to students in the final years of high school.


Forest certification is designed to be an ongoing process with audits taking place regularly. Undertaking resource analysis and solving problems associated with environmental issues (i.e. water, salinity, rainfall, fire, pest and disease hazards) in a sustainable manner is a necessity in the forest certification process and requires specialised skills and knowledge.

The Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability was released in 2011 and the industry has displayed significant interest in this qualification. A project to scope the requirement for specialised industry units for fire management will commence in 2012. Other initiatives to be pursued include developing online, centralised system of ’expert profiles’ to concentrate consulting services available in forest sustainability and promoting cross-enterprise collaboration to use existing expertise.

Emerging skill needsSkills in strategic communication, community and customer relations

In order to fully use all forests’ functions and potential sustainably, industry recognises the need for investment in skills to promote and facilitate communication, conflict management, consensus forming and cross-border collaboration between groups and communities.

The Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability integrates competencies in community relations. These skills need to cover all occupational levels – certificate II, III and IV. CRC for Forestry has published a handbook for operational community engagement (Dare, Schirmer, & Vanclay, 2011), ‘Form forest communication networks’ (UNECE, 2007) to harness the knowledge, skills and practical experience of forestry practitioners to act nationally and address public misconceptions about the industry.


Investment decisions for farm forestry have long been dominated by a lack of confidence in returns and uncertainty about long-term markets. With the opportunities offered by the 2011 Clean Energy Future legislation, these barriers are easing to some extent and farm forestry is gaining value. As carbon becomes a commodity, the sector will need to accumulate skill sets for accounting and monitoring carbon storage, calculating carbon offsets and understanding carbon trading.

The Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability integrates competencies in carbon storage and accounting. ForestWorks ISC continues to investigate the knowledge and skills needed to confidently operate farm forestry plantations in the context of 2011 Clean Energy Future legislation. This work may impact on the future content and use of the Diploma of Forest and Forest Products. The Federal Government will assist the sector, through the Carbon Farming Skills program, with development of a new nationally accredited qualification for carbon service providers (such as carbon brokers and aggregators) who will connect farmers and landholders to the carbon market (2011 Clean Energy Future, 2011).

Digital skills for advanced technologies

The sector is increasingly adopting advanced information and transportation technologies (planning and logistics tools, decision making tools and systems that reduce noise and pollution), quality control technologies (to address forest and ecosystem health issues) and material science advancements (regarding tree genetics or the DNA signature of wood).

ForestWorks ISC will continue to analyse this area to determine the most likely uptake of these technologies, and develop units and skill sets as required.


There is potential for industry to expand in this region due to the area’s higher rainfall, the range of species types, demand for new products and opportunities for Indigenous economic development and landscape management.

The industry will work with providers to develop knowledge and skills related to new species and new product types.

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A challenging year

2011 was a challenging year for forestry and harvesting contractors across Australia. Customers have faced a range of economic challenges nationally, which, for forest businesses, has meant a reduced volume of orders. This instability has held back many in the sector from investing in workforce development and training.

Improving long-term stability

At the ForestWorks ISC Skills and Employment Committee (SEC) meeting in 2011, the Victorian Forest Contractors Association stated that contractors will not be entering into training contracts while VicForests is reducing its business contracts. The situation is likely to improve as, at the end of 2011, the Victorian Government launched a revised Timber Industry Action Plan to provide improved long-term certainty for the native timber industry. Under the new plan, the government enables VicForests to harvest and sell timber through supply agreements of up to 20 years, instead of the current maximum five-year period. The plan also provides VicForests with the flexibility to sell timber in a variety of ways, including at timber auctions and other sales arrangements.

Effects of the Tasmanian industry restructure on jobs

Since 2010, forest workers and harvesting and haulage contractors in Tasmania have been impacted by a process of significant structural transformation. This was marked by mass redundancies – about 50% of employees’ jobs in this sector were made redundant – and a large number of business exits from the sector.

In 2010 ForestWorks Limited (the parent company of ForestWorks ISC) commenced delivering employment assistance services to the pulp and paper workers retrenched following the closure of TasPaper mills in northern Tasmania. In 2011 the assistance was extended under the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement to the forestry industry workers and contractors who are exiting the industry in the context created by the Tasmanian Forests Statement of Principles and associated intergovernmental agreement.

A new harvest era

In other states, some forest plantations (for instance in Bombala region in New South Wales and the Green Triangle in Victoria-South Australia) entered a new harvest era as many of the managed investment funded plantations became available for harvest during 2010 and 2011. Many other plantation areas, like the acacia plantations in the Tiwi Islands, in Northern Territory, are scheduled for harvesting in the next few years. The growth in plantations ready for harvest is expected to continue until 2030, though at a lower rate.

Demand for harvesting operation skills

To manage the harvest operations at the softwood plantations in Bombala, Forests NSW has renewed the silvicultural and harvesting and haulage contracts for the next six years for thinning, clear-felling of some blocks, and replanting. These contracts include up to 18-20 new trucks and extra employment. The harvest of blue gum plantations in south-west Victoria (the Green Triangle region) is also experiencing a demand for workers with skills across the sector and, in particular, at certificate III level.

Section two: Harvesting and haulage

Sector compositionThe harvesting and haulage sector includes all businesses that harvest forests for logs and other products such as firewood, pulpwood and rough-hewn products (such as mine timbers, posts and railway sleepers). This sector also produces woodchips in the field, distils eucalyptus oil, gathers forest biomass and hauls forest products. Businesses are frequently small and family-owned, with a high level of investment in machinery and high operational costs. The working conditions in this sector are difficult and the wages are often low.

Photo: Forest & Wood Products Australia

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Investing in workforce succession planning

Truck drivers and harvesting machine operators continue to remain in high demand in this sector, but are in short supply across all regions. This workforce challenge is generally created by an ageing workforce and the difficulty in attracting young workers, which has ongoing implications on productivity. For instance, the average age of tree harvesters using chainsaws in Queensland is now 62 years and one study indicates that experienced tree fellers are 50% more productive than novices. Investment in succession planning and workforce development is, therefore, a driver of productivity.

Investing in skills

This sector traditionally faces workforce development challenges particularly in recognised training delivery via registered training organisations (RTOs) and has had limited government-funded VET engagement. As a result there is a limited understanding of the extent of skill development investment by enterprises. The data that is captured by the enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package units of competency and qualifications remained stable despite the large restructures that have occurred in this sector recently, particularly in Tasmania. This stability is associated with the availability of EBPPP funding and a high uptake of training under this program (273 trainees from 23 harvesting and haulage employers). One example is Sunchip, the largest harvesting and haulage contractor in Queensland, which in 2011 engaged for the first time in nationally-funded accredited training. For additional details regarding national and state enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications refer to the tables in Section Three and Appendix III.


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Harvesting and haulageWorkforce development needs


Skill shortages (shortage of skilled workers)Mechanical harvesting operator and manual chainsaw harvester

Harvesting of plantations in south-west Victoria and other regions has commenced and many other plantations will reach commercial maturity in the next few years, driving high demand for mechanical harvesting operators, however there are not enough sufficiently skilled workers available. The mature-age workforce, difficulty attracting young people, and the high capital investment required to become a harvesting and haulage contractor are all pressures. There is also a complexity in training. A study (Parker, 2010) indicates that experienced tree fellers are 50% more productive than novices when using chainsaws.

Current skill sets satisfy mechanised plantation harvesting requirements. We are looking at developing strategies for transition and mobility of native forest harvesting operators to plantation areas in demand for harvesting. ForestWorks ISC is working with industry to apply the SET project findings (ForestWorks ISC, 2010) in components of pre-employment programs for greenfield sites.

In-field chipping operator In some regions this is a skill shortage but Tasmania, this is an emerging skill need. The maintenance of in-field chipping equipment also requires specialised operational skills for knife sharpening as well as for electronic, diesel and hydraulic units.

ForestWorks ISC will work with providers to coordinate the in-field chipping skill requirements across enterprises and regions.

Truck and forklift driver The average age of truck drivers is 55 years and preferences for working in this role continue to be influenced by competition from the mining industry, the industry’s image and remote locations. Specialised driving skills are required for driving on high country roads.

The industry is working on increasing the relevance of these jobs by promoting the sustainable features of the industry and its values.

Manual fallers in steep terrain

It is necessary to maintain skilled workers in this field as working with harvesting machinery in steep terrain requires specific skills.

Formal training for these roles exists however, as the work is often remote and difficult, and with machinery dong much of harvesting in flatter terrain, sustainable demand for these high-level skills is reducing

Skill gaps (skill gaps in existing workforce)Skills in small business management

Business owners identified the need to improve business management skills. Industry-specific skills and knowledge, and the low level of demand, limit the use of a generic training model for these skills needs.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to promote small business training with customised qualifications to small business management contractors.

LLN skills at management level

Business owners in this sector identified the need to improve the LLN skills essential to business management.

ForestWorks ISC will encourage participation in specialised courses by increasing awareness about the existence of such programs.

Skills to supervise harvesting operations

Supervision of operations requires a very broad skill set with formal training, particularly for people with limited experience.

ForestWorks ISC will work with RTOs to offer more formal training and/or a qualification/licence to emphasise this role.

Skills in grading logs There is an acute need to adopt ‘best practice’ methods to maximise the recovery of logs and add value by sorting the resources for the most appropriate uses.

ForestWorks ISC will encourage professional development activities in this area for qualified workers in order to maximise recovery.

Skills in fire management The 2009 bushfires in Victoria revealed skill gaps in fire management. This sector can play a role in fires management.

ForestWorks ISC is undertaking review of relevant fire management competency standards.

Skills in fire salvage operations

The 2009 bushfires in Victoria revealed skill gaps in fire salvage with a focus on maximising salvage of usable wood products.

FPI11 contains a new skill set Fire Salvage Operations.

IT knowledge for mechanised equipment

Harvesting is increasingly mechanised and assisted by advanced IT. In this context, IT knowledge becomes an integral part of being a mechanical harvesting operator.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to ensure the training package keeps abreast of technical changes. We will also continue to circulate information on emerging technologies and support professional development for trainers and assessors.

Expert services in demandMechanic, diesel fitter, tyre fitter, hydraulic fitter

These skills are an integral part of the sector’s service industry. They are increasingly absorbed by booming industries such as mining.

The industry will continue to promote the benefits of this sector for technical specialists, particularly the career and lifestyle benefits.

Experts in low-carbon alternative fuels

This sector has the potential to improve the industry’s carbon emissions profile by using low-carbon alternative fuels.

Industry will continue to liaise with carbon advisory services to identify options to satisfy this need.

Experts in community relations

Community misconception of jobs in this sector is still common. Industry will continue to engage with experts in community relations and communicate effectively with communities. FPI60111 Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry Sustainability supports industry leaders to enhance skills in community relations through a range of elective units in communication and engagement.

Experts in career pathway promotion

New technological developments adopted by this sector have the potential to appeal to young enthusiastic operators. Attracting young people to this sector is not a new issue.

Industry will continue to engage with career advisors and parents where possible.

Emerging skill needsSkills in cording and matting of log extraction tracks and log processing loading areas

Forest certification principles require harvesting and haulage contractors to comply with specific environmental criteria by using agreed practices.

ForestWorks ISC will scope the requirements to review the relevant units of competency.


Specialised machines such as bundlers and mobile chippers are used in harvesting biomass. Contractors have the potential to play a role in forest biomass harvesting for bioenergy.

ForestWorks ISC will scope industry skills requirements for operating biomass harvesting machinery.

Truck drivers for larger trucks

Bigger trucks have the potential to increase the efficiency of haulage operations where their use becomes feasible.

ForestWorks ISC will facilitate strategies to support more training for B-double and B-triple drivers. Log Truck Driver competency standards are being reviewed and a skill set developed. Consultation on the potential use of B-double and B-triple skills will be incorporated into this project.

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Section two: Sawmilling and processing

Sector compositionThe sawmilling and processing sector includes enterprises that produce sawn timber products for construction and furniture and peel/slice logs for timber veneer production, as well as wood chip producers. This sector also includes eucalypt oil distilleries, timber treatment plants for drying and wood preservation, and wood-based bioenergy plants (pellet manufacturers, ethanol, biodiesel, electricity and charcoal plants).


Global economic uncertainty and structural adjustment

From the onset of the global financial crisis this

sector has experienced a process of structural

adjustment that has generated an oversupply of

specialised labour in many regional areas across

most states. Additionally, from the second half of

2010, there was a progressive switch to plantation

logs, particularly in Tasmania, that instigated

the closure of mills and job losses. ABARES

estimated that by 2010 the employment in this

sector had dropped by about 33% from 2006

levels. Since June 2010, Gunns Limited has made

approximately 420 additional jobs redundant in its

hardwood and softwood sawmills.

Consequences of the high Australian dollar and the increase in imports

The imports of sawn wood products in Australia

have increased considerably since 2009-10 while

residential building constructions have declined

nationally (URS, 2011). In addition, domestic sawn

wood products have been difficult to export due

to the high value of the Australian dollar. All these

factors have had a negative impact on sawmilling

and processing businesses; they generated

falls in activity, fluctuations in price levels to

accommodate the low demand (with further

implications on costs) and job losses, leading

to a state of general insecurity in the sector.

In the softwood plantation sawn timber industry,

for instance, the number of employees has

dropped by 6% over the last three years,

not including contractors and casual staff, with

more redundancies announced since March 2011.

Impacts of resource security

Still further, the medium to long-term security of log resource continues to create concerns in this sector and has a combined effect on the entire industry. For example, a reduction by 30% in hardwood supply in the north coast of New South Wales has resulted in the loss of 150 jobs in the region. Similarly, one of the largest hardwood producers in Victoria, McCormack Demby Timber, made more than 50 jobs redundant in 2011.

Improving long-term stability

Recently, the Victorian Government has reviewed and issued new long-term access measures to native timber supplies (and these are expected to provide more certainty for Victorian businesses, as well as the means to compete with imports from overseas and to introduce new technologies.

Harnessing the potential of bioenergy

The bioenergy segment of this sector has great potential and a number of investment projects are evolving in this area (refer to Appendix I). However, activity in the woody biomass-to-energy sector has been inhibited by the exclusion of this under-utilised resource from the Clean Energy Future legislation and a lack of policies from governments to stimulate local demand and investments in this direction. As a result, a number of proposed investment projects in pyrolysis and energy cogeneration halted across Australia in 2011. In addition, the challenges of depending entirely on international markets, shipping costs and operating under the pressures of the high Australian currency have affected existing businesses - the largest pellet manufacturing plant in Australia, Plantation Energy Australia, has temporarily closed its operations in Albany, Western Australia.


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Work in this sector is increasingly computerised. Technological developments will continue to grow given that computing and scanning can be used to create additional new opportunities for efficiency through process interconnectivity. The potential exists to link scanning and optimisation across production control centres, to make ‘whole process’ decisions to satisfy varying markets. Digital literacy is thus essential in most businesses in this sector, particularly for those that are actively embracing innovation and competitiveness.

Adapting practices and technology to the change in resource

With the growing trend of using plantation-sourced hardwoods and higher product competition, this sector will also need to upgrade its current milling and drying practices (including the skills) to profitably process these logs. Unlike the logs supplied from native eucalypt forests, plantation hardwoods have smaller diameters and different sawing characteristics. To support businesses, the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Forestry and others (Washusen, 2011;) reviewed the technical developments in sawmilling, providing managers with solutions to improve efficiency and keep pace with competition.

Competition for workers from booming industries

At present, sawdoctoring, sawyers and woodmachining remain critical operations for this sector. Despite the growth in enrolments for accredited training over the last years, a shortage of skills for these occupations continues to exist in some regions. These and other more general trade skills, such as truck and forklift drivers, electricians and mechanics, are experiencing shortages within this sector, particularly in regions affected by the growth of mining and associated construction projects.

New compliance requirements for changing timber treatment techniques

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) suggested in 2005 that the timber treatment chemical copper chrome arsenate (CCA) be declared as a ‘restricted chemical product’ meaning it can only be supplied to and used by authorised users. This declaration is expected to occur in 2012 and will have implications for timber treatment plants using CCA. APVMA determines what training is deemed appropriate for users of restricted chemicals. ForestWorks ISC will monitor these developments for any impact on the skill standards required.

Investing in skills

Workforce development in this sector is traditionally achieved through a combination of on-the-job training, fee-for-service training and enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications. Nationally, enrolments in this sector in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications decreased by 22% in 2010 - 11 when compared to the previous year. However, there was an increase in enrolments in New South Wales for Certificate III in Woodmachining and in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia for Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing. The enrolments in all other qualifications (Certificate II in Sawmilling and Processing and Certificate III in Sawdoctoring) have decreased or, in some instances, remained the same over the year (refer to the National and State Enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications tables in Section Three and Appendix III). Sawmilling and processing is one of the industry sectors where, despite economic challenges, businesses opted to access nationally-accredited training through the EBPPP to continue skilling and upskilling their workers.

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Sawmilling and processingWorkforce development needs

Rationale Potential strategies for enterprises, industry associations, union, RTOs and ForestWorks ISC

Skill shortages (shortage of skilled workers)Timber drying and kiln operator

Qualified workers are essential to ensure that correct and energy-efficient drying is achieved. A shortage of kiln drying operators is reportedly indicated in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria. The main factors are associated with lack of industry promotion and local training, as well as isolated locations and uncompetitive rates of pay.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to promote the skill standards and value of structured training. It is also important to offer pathways from high school, to provide training for existing workers and to improve working conditions.

Sawdoctor and saw operator

Sawdoctors and saw operators are traditionally in shortage nationally despite the significant increase in enrolments for these qualifications over the last years (Table 1 of Section 3). Sawdoctor is a highly specialised occupation that makes, repairs, maintains and sharpens a wide range of cutting tools and saw blades in timber mills. Sawdoctors also maintain mechanical parts of a range of production machines. Most sawdoctors and saw operators are employed in regional centres, in businesses from small to large processing plants, often with wages that that are not perceived as competitive.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to promote the skill standards and value of structured training. It is also important to offer pathways from high school, to provide training for existing workers and to improve working conditions. ForestWorks ISC will conduct a project to restructure the sawdoctor qualification and review the requirements of the role to scope the full extent of the work required and the work pathway available.

Machine operation and plant supervisor

Effective supervision and leadership is critical in all teams. For many years, there has been a greater focus on technical rather than supervisory skills, which has led to a shortage in this area.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to work with RTOs to assist in the development of customised qualifications.

Truck driver, forklift operator, electrician and mechanic

People with these skills are increasingly absorbed nationally by booming industries such as mining.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to support enterprises in accessing government assistance to take on apprentices in this area.

Skill gaps (skill gaps in existing workforce)Skills in timber treatment New alternative timber treatment technologies are becoming available

and there is no dedicated qualification or pathway for operating timber treatment units. Currently there is only a skill set in the industry training package. This role is not promoted nor is it widely understood.

ForestWorks ISC will examine the viability of specific skill sets. Undertake promotion, offer pathways from high school and provide training for existing workers. ForestWorks ISC will review changes to timber treatment across a variety of processes and update units and qualifications to reflect these changes.


Sawmilling and processing is increasingly assisted by advanced IT (i.e. advanced timber grading technologies using ultrasound). In this context, IT knowledge and skills are a prerequisite for specific equipment operators.

ForestWorks ISC will ensure the training package keeps abreast of technological changes. We will target engagement and consultation for those areas of rapid technology change, circulate information on emerging technologies and support professional development for trainers and assessors.

Expert services in demandExperts in chemical use and handling

Chemicals are used to protect timber from termites and decay. The handling of these chemicals is a highly specialised and regulated area.

ForestWorks ISC will support industry networks of experts to assist in meeting operational health and safety standards, and environmental regulations.

Expert in career promotion The shortage of skills critical for this sector indicates the difficulty in attracting new workers. New technological developments adopted by this sector can motivate, attracting young operators has long been an issue for this sector.

The industry will continue to engage with career promotion experts and industry associations to promote jobs in this sector.

Emerging skill needsSkills for processing hardwood plantation resources

As more plantations come online and less native hardwood is used, skills that accommodate technological adjustments and the varied properties of immature wood will become more important.

ForestWorks ISC and industry will develop programs to upgrade the skills of existing workers.


The Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011 will introduce stricter requirements in purchasing and supplying wood. To demonstrate compliance, businesses will need to report on material sourcing, production controls and transaction documentation. These roles require basic record keeping skills and system design skills.

Industry will have up to two years following the commencement of legislation to establish due diligence systems (skills and processes) and comply with its requirements. Understanding the precise impact of the skills required by industry as a consequence remains a priority for ForestWorks ISC in 2012.


Timber drying techniques are evolving to be more energy and time efficient. Generally, as better methods of timber drying are developed, implementation is broadly accepted.

ForestWorks ISC will work with industry to identify the latest drying techniques and review current drying units of competency to ensure they are in line with evolving trends.


The location of mills and amount of biomass residues resulting from local operations allow this sector to economically integrate biofuel and bioenergy production. The biofuel sector includes a range of specialised technologies for a handful of specialised products yet the regulatory system is causing limiting investment.

ForestWorks ISC will investigate current technologies, be alert to their uptake and consult with industry to accurately identify the skill needs and evaluate the need for skills standards at certificate II, III, IV and diploma levels.


There is an increased focus on production and cost efficiencies to ensure competitiveness in a globalised economy. The market is also driving an increased interest in energy use, water use minimisation and the recycling or selling of generated residues. Skills for undertaking life cycle analysis and carbon accounting will become imperative for all organisations.

The Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability has been finalised and is available for use. It includes skill standards for carbon accounting at enterprise level.

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Section two: Pulp and paper manufacturing

Sector compositionThe pulp and paper manufacturing sector includes enterprises that produce pulp and a range of paper products including fine paper, tissue and newsprint, as well as packaging products and energy and chemicals from the production process. Businesses in this sector employ integrated, continuous and high-tech manufacturing processes requiring high skill levels.


Intense competitive pressure

The sector is currently under intense competitive pressure from paper products imported from countries with growing pulp and paper industries, questionable environmental credentials and dumping practices. In 2010 - 11, the total value of imports of forest and wood products from China was $676 million, of which and paper and paperboard imports accounted for 40%.

Tissue, newsprint and fine paper impacted on several fronts

In addition to pressure from imports, fine paper, tissue and newsprint manufacturers have also faced of series of challenges over the last year, including the strong Australian dollar, higher input costs (labour and energy) in domestic production, and a diminishing demand for paper due to increased markets for tablet computers and electronic readers globally. After the closure of two pulp and paper mills in north-west Tasmania in 2010 with a loss of 450 jobs, another large paper and tissue manufacturer, Kimberly-Clark Australia, closed down two tissue machines in South Australia with a loss of more than 235 jobs in a regional community. ForestWorks Limited (the parent company of ForestWorks ISC) is currently delivering workers assistance services in both regions to support displaced workers with re-skilling, development and employment solutions.

Packaging and industrial paper markets remain buoyant

Unlike paper and paperboard products, packaging and industrial paper are generating growth rates that are consistent with the developments (primary production outputs) in the general, global economy. In 2009-10, the value of exports from this sector increased by 37% while, in comparison, the volume of exports of printing and writing paper declined by 42% over the same period. However, the local

demand for packaging paper and paperboard has remained stable over the last years, except for 2009 when the demand was slightly lower.

Waste paper was also one of the major forest product exports from Australia to China in 2010–11. Recovered paper has become the premier source of fibre supporting the growth in world paper production.

This sector’s important role in regional employment

Generally and by comparison, businesses in this sector had an impressive track record in supporting employment in regional areas. Yet, over the last five years, employment decreased by 60% in the sector. Tasmania, for instance, transitioned from a state with a traditional pulp and paper industry, to now just one remaining operational pulp and paper company, Norske Skog.

Competition for workers from booming industries

In terms of skills, the sector is challenged by the mining industry, which absorbs skilled labour, particularly in Queensland and South Australia. Attracting and retaining maintenance trades, such as electricians, boiler maker, plumbers, fitters and mechanics has become a difficult issue for this sector.


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Responding to market trends with new technology and enhanced sustainability practices and strategiesDealing with difficult domestic and international competitive pressures for many years, this sector has survived through innovation and technology improvements. Over the last decade, the sector has managed to improve its environmental sustainability significantly. At present, businesses look for strategies to compete with the emerging markets and respond to new market trends.

Australian Paper, the only manufacturer of fine paper (e.g. office photocopying paper) in Australia, has announced a strategy that will see the company significantly increase the amount of plantation fibre used in its operations so that the company can continue to manufacture in Australia and continue as the largest private employer in regional Victoria.

Gunns Limited is proposing the largest investment in processing of forest fibre in Australia’s history, the Bell Bay Pulp Mill, to capture the value of Australian plantations (which cannot be achieved through the export of unprocessed woodchips) and lead plantation fibre markets through cost competitiveness. This investment is expected to support significant employment across the sector and other industries that service development and production operations (up to 3000 jobs during the construction phase).

Harnessing the potential of bioenergy

At the Australasian Pulp and Paper Industry Technical Association’s conference in 2011, industry leaders highlighted the great potential and advantage had by pulp and paper enterprises through the utilisation of woody biomass and ‘black liquor’ from forestry and pulping processes to integrate advanced biomanufacturing processes and product development. This equals new market opportunities for this sector, including the broader bioenergy and biofuel markets, as well as bioproduct and biochemical markets in the longer term.

Investing in skills

In the pulp and paper sector, operator skills training is generally conducted in-house, via quality assured workplace training and skills development processes, consistent with the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package (FPP10) and auspiced through RTOs. Generic skills such as frontline management and first aid skills, together with forklift licences are delivered externally through RTOs including TAFEs that provide training services to the industry.

National enrolments in government-funded Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package (FPP01) qualifications increased by 13% in this sector in 2010 - 11, when compared to the previous year. For additional details regarding the national and state enrolments in government-funded Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package qualifications (FPP10) refer to the tables in Section Three and Appendix III.


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Pulp and paper manufacturing

Workforce development needs




Although the labour market does not supply this sector with skilled workers ready to operate, there is not a profound shortage of industry-specific skilled workers in this sector. Businesses undertake ‘just-in-time’ workforce development processes to develop the industry-specific skills that they need. This sector generally offers above average pay and high standards of working conditions.

ForestWorks ISC and industry’s Pulp and Paper Skills Development Unit continue to support this sector on the basis of ‘just-in-time’ workforce development performance.

Chemical and electrical engineer, Maintenance fitter (mechanic. electrician, boiler maker, plumber)

These skills are increasingly absorbed by booming industries such as mining.

Enterprises are carrying out their own specific recruitment activities to fill these positions. The industry careers website (www.growingcareers.com.au) promotes these roles and shows the benefits for technical specialists.



This sector integrates continuous, highly technical manufacturing processes and develops commensurate skill levels. There are gaps in applied skills knowledge, mainly regarding new and company specific technologies, compromising troubleshooting competencies for equipment and process operations.

Employers continue to develop skilled personnel to develop the necessary resources to fill gaps identified. Employers are continuously improving their skills development systems to support national training including the application of resources developed to fill identified gaps.


Technology upgrades and the level of process integration and computerisation are ever increasing in this sector. Technology and process integration across multiple processes and technologies (.e. centralised control) and between different technologies (i.e. old and new) are common features.

Employers continue to develop skilled personnel to develop the necessary resources to fill gaps identified. This work will continue to ensure enterprises support workforce development for roles associated with (remote) control systems, production operations and maintenance.


Pulp and paper manufacturing is based on end-to-end processes, aligned with a specific manufacturing technology that entails high-level coordination of activities and workers engaged in a production line.

The industry’s Pulp and Paper Skills Development Unit continues to work with industry and ForestWorks ISC on qualifications and units and on their delivery at a site level.

Operator level maintenance skills

There is increasing demand for pulp and paper operators to take on ‘operator-level’ maintenance tasks. These are generally regarded as ‘non-precision’ maintenance trade tasks that may include first year apprentice fitter skills, which are carried out in addition to their normal operations functions.

ForestWorks ISC has engaged the Pulp and Paper Skills Development unit to research new skilling opportunities for operators, particularly in maintenance activities.

Expert services in demand

Research and development professionals in biofuel technologies and water and energy efficiency solutions

The Pulp and Paper Industry Innovation Council proposed in 2011 the development of an appropriately funded Biorefinery Research Institute that will focus its research and development effort on fibre-based biofuels and other bioproducts but no action has been taken since then. Universities, however, are expanding their research into woody biomass as an alternative energy source. In 2010 the council also identified opportunities and devised ways to maximise water and energy efficiency.

The industry will continue to collaborate with researchers and assist with in-house expertise and experience.

Emerging skill needs


The implementation and operation of environmental sustainability developments and technologies (i.e. biofuel/conversion into renewable energy, water and energy efficiency solutions) necessitate specialised skills that are readily available.

The Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability is available for use. ForestWorks ISC will remain alert to the latest developments and seek advice from the PPISDU regarding technology-related professional’s skill sets and develop appropriate competency standards.


The construction of major state-of-the-art pulp mills in Tasmania (Bell Bay Pulp Mill) will demand additional workers for this sector.

Gunns Limited and ForestWorks ISC will promote the industry across relevant geographical areas. The PPISDU and ForestWorks ISC will work to support national training for greenfield sites.



Industry will have up to two years following the commencement of legislation to establish due diligence systems (skills and processes) and comply with its requirements. Understanding the precise impact of the skills required by industry remains a priority for ForestWorks ISC in 2012.

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Section two: timber manufactured products

Sector compositionThe timber manufactured products sector is represented by enterprises that produce structural timber products such as engineered beam products (Laminated Veneer Lumber and Laminated Strand Lumber, I-Beams, Glued Laminated Timber) and truss and frame timber products, dressed timber for housing applications (flooring, internal joinery, cabinetry, furniture, laminated short-lengths timber components), doors and windows and other timber products (poles, sleepers, gates and fences, products from reclaimed wood, etc).


The pressures of declining construction

The housing and construction market is a strong driver of demand for timber products and labour and statistics show that housing constructions in Australia have declined at an average rate of around 3.1% per quarter over the last two years (URS, 2011). This suggests that domestic demand for timber products would have dropped at the same rate but the pressure has been exacerbated by the strong Australian dollar, often placing imported timber products at a price advantage ahead of local products. As a result, businesses in this sector are under significant pressure with domestic demand significantly reduced. Operations and markets are in a state of continuous review which, in most cases, has an impact on employment. For example, Australia’s largest privately-owned timber company, Hyne, decided in 2011 to withdraw from the production of LVL and I-Beam products. This move determined the closure of its I-Beam manufacturing plant in Brisbane.

The outlook for growth in construction of new homes appears to remain weak in most regions. An increase in dwelling commencements (by around 13%) is expected to occur in New South Wales due to the release of two major land areas in the greater Sydney region. But, in Victoria, commencements are expected to fall by around 14% in 2012 and the other regions remain uncertain. Large construction projects and the development of some major projects in the resources industry in different regions of the country will remain a feasible market proposition for structural timber products over the next years particularly if the price of carbon is reflected in high-energy products such as concrete and steel.

New market trends reveal opportunities for emerging high value-added products

Markets in this sector continue to be uncertain and existing demand is changing as new uses are emerging for wood fibre and new technology is being implemented for using timber in different ways. These trends create market and business opportunities. For example, Forestry Tasmania, proposes the diversion of existing forest and timber products infrastructure in Tasmania into processing facilities for rotary peeled veneers, engineered wood products (such as laminated veneer lumber) and renewable energy (such as torrefied wood and wood pellets) and link with overseas stakeholders. With these new developments skill and labour needs are rapidly changing.

Skills for sustainability

This sector will also be affected by the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011 and its requirements, which integrate due diligence, certification and chain of custody practices to ensure that imported timber products come from sustainable sources. To comply with those requirements, timber products importers, producers and suppliers need to develop specific skills and support is offered by the new Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability. This qualification covers all aspects of sustainability from compliance, chain of custody and carbon accounting requirements.

Dynamic, safe and productive workplaces via enhanced foundation skills

In this sector there are also remarkable examples of companies seeking to improve the communication, learning and change management skills of their workers and enable them to operate with increased self-reliance in a dynamic

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workplace and world. With the assistance of the ForestWorks ISC’s Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) Program, Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts, for instance, has been successful in initiating a program for 650 workers across its plants in four states. Through the WELL program, workers receive training in communication skills development such as participation in meetings and communicating effectively within teams and problem solving, as well as managing email and written reports.

Promoting the benefits of our low-carbon products

Sustainability and high performance of timber products in construction structures have been widely demonstrated by robust scientific studies and a range of innovative and high profile building projects around the world. The industry, however, has realised that the low-carbon option that timber products offer to the energy-intensive products used in construction (such as steel, aluminium and concrete) is not well known to building and construction specialists. The industry has, therefore, initiated a series of communication and education activities (seminars and a dedicated website at www.woodsolutions.com.au) via Forest & Wood Products Australia to educate material specifiers, architects and builders on sustainable design.


Over the years, the timber manufactured products sector has been moving towards adopting high technology production systems (such as automated machines tools and manufacturing lines, computer-aided design programs) requiring higher levels of computer operating skills. Companies in the truss and frame sector use integrated information systems that allows real-time communication within the entire product cycle from product design to manufacturing and product delivery to the end user. Information systems and digital skills are essential across the entire sector to support efficiency and competitiveness.

The potential for innovation in this sector is great and some examples of recent innovative developments in this sector are presented in Appendix II. Unfortunately the industry is rapidly losing its government-funded research capacity with the number of scientists falling by 47%.

Investi ng in skills

Workforce development in this sector is traditionally achieved via on-the-job learning and product knowledge through industry association lead workshops and information packs. There is some fee-for-service training and a limited use of government funding for enrolments in Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications. Enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications decreased nationally by 14% in 2010 - 11 compared to the previous year. A growth in enrolments occurred in New South Wales and Queensland for Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products. The enrolments in all other qualifications and states have decreased or, in some instances, remained the same over the year (refer to the National and State Enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications tables in Section Three and Appendix III). It is expected that, with the new Timber Frame and Truss qualifications and other revised qualifications, together with promotion of the National Workforce Development Fund, participation in government-funded competencies and qualifications will increase.

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timber manufactured products

Workforce development needs



Woodmachinist Woodmachinists are still reported as a skill shortage across the country (except in Queensland) although the occupation is not in the current (2011) DEEWR National and State Skill Shortage List. Woodmachinists operate specific machines and undertake specialist operations to cut, plane, shape and sand wood to a required shape and size. The operations often involve undesirable working conditions (noise and wood dust) and uncompetitive wages.

It is important to offer pathways from high school, provide training for existing workers and offer pathways to existing workers. Review the number of units of competency to complete this specialisation and improve pathways.

Designer (estimator/detailer for roof trusses, floor systems and wall frames)

Designers (estimators/detailers) are still in short supply nationally. Approximately 20-30 frame and truss estimators and detailers at the certificate IV to diploma level are required immediately in Victoria to reduce the reliance on off-shore estimating businesses (Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association- ForestWorks ISC correspondence, 2011).

These roles require computer literacy with technical ability and the ability to read architectural plans and structural drawings. Designers are also expected to be familiar with 3D design fabrication softwares and/or computer-aided design

(CAD) packages to provide professional presentation of building layouts and construction details to builders and truss, floor and wall installers. The industry is moving towards ’whole of house’ design and manufacture, including provision of all ancillary services.

Industry will enhance promotion of these jobs by marketing the sector as high tech (i.e. showcase the 3D design systems) and by promoting the new industry skill standards and workplace pathways. Some companies are sourcing design services and have established joint ventures that provide integrated construction and design services. Some hardware and software developers (nail plate providers) are working in conjunction with RTOs and employers to establish traineeships.

Truck driver, forklift operator, electrician and mechanic

People with these skills are increasingly absorbed by booming industries such as mining.

Industry will continue to support promotional activities to underline the benefits of working in this industry.


Digital skills (to operate computer based equipment)

Woodmachining and parts assembly operations are increasingly assisted by CAD and computer numerical control (CNC). With the lack of young operators, this sector faces a real challenge to upskill existing employees to program and control computer-assisted equipment.

Industry will increasingly undertake progressive and constant training for existing workers and work to attract and train young people. Industry will train in-house IT experts to reduce the reliance on external sources to solve problems that interrupt business. ForestWorks ISC will scope the skill requirements of emerging technology at the research stage of each training package project.


New and sophisticated technologies for wood products production have introduced complexity in jobs, in terms of multitasking and specialisation. In this context, employees will require support to develop new levels of training to acquire the skills to manage complex operations.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to provide support training for employees in regions where these technologies originate.


Expert in career promotion

The adoption of new technological developments requires workers who are willing to learn new processes; attracting workers remains an issue for this sector.

Encourage career promotion experts and industry associations to promote jobs in this sector. Promote industry-specific job search websites (such as www.growingcareers.com.au) and encourage their use.






The market is driving an increased interest in energy use, water use minimisation and the recycling or selling of generated residues. Skills for undertaking life cycle analysis and carbon accounting will become imperative for all organisations.

The Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability includes skill standards for carbon accounting at enterprise level.National databases/frameworks with large applicability will be essential for wider implementation of life cycle analysis.

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Section two: Wood panel and board production



The level of housing and construction is a key factor influencing production and consumption of wood-based panels in Australia. In spite of the decline in recent years in the housing construction market, domestic consumption of wood-based panels has increased by 13% in 2010 - 11 and the production by 7.7%. This increase is associated with the development of larger construction projects, including infrastructure construction projects in the mining sector. Further developments in this segment create opportunities for a continuous growth in the demand of wood-based panels and plywood.

The sector’s domestic production has been supplemented by imports including, in recent times, from China. The exports of both wood-based panels and plywood are improving from a slow down despite the high Australian dollar. The volume of exported veneer increased in 2011, reaching record levels. The floods and other pressures caused the closure of a plywood mill in Queensland, leaving the state with only one plywood manufacturer.

Imported wood panel products, which are often offered at prices below Australian production cost, bring concerns about their quality, which often fails to meet Australian standards when tested by industry. The industry is campaigning for measures to prevent sub-standard imports to lower the risks associated with the use of these non-compliant plywood and wood panel imports including health issues for workers and other users.

The price on carbon is likely to have future implications on the economics of wood panel businesses. The manufacturing costs are

estimated to increase by 7%, which, in most cases, is greater than the profit margins in the industry. Any increase in prices for local products will lead to stronger competition from imports, which are currently arriving at depressed prices and will not encounter carbon costs.

Skills for sustainability in a low-carbon economy

The Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011 is expected to help eliminate local markets of high-emission wood-based material by restricting products that do not demonstrate chain of custody certification. The due diligence code of practice applies to all businesses that supply wood panels and veneer products and, in terms of skill needs, the Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability offers manufacturers the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to comply with current legislative requirements.

New market trends reveal opportunities for innovative products

The market for all wood panel products will increase with the growth of innovative building systems. The new building technologies use engineered products to create multi-residential constructions in record time and build resilient houses in regions prone to natural disasters. Japanese housing developers have pioneered efficiency-friendly, ‘pre-fab’ building technologies for some time and the local industry, including builders and the timber industry alike, are now confronted with the challenge of responding to this ‘fast-construction’ trend, to remain competitive domestically and overseas. It is predicted that by 2020, in Australia, multi-unit starts could claim 43-47% of the housing market.

Sector compositionThe wood panel and board production sector is represented by enterprises that produce reconstituted panel products (such as MDF and particle boards), veneer products, plywood and engineered timber flooring. Manufacturing is production-line based, using highly specialised and integrated technologies and operations that are aligned to rigorous quality regulations.


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Opportunities revealed by the transition from native to plantation resources

A long-term opportunity for this sector is likely to emerge with the transition from a native forest based resource to a plantation based resource. The engineered wood products sector will be well positioned to utilise, likely at a feasible price, the smaller, more immature logs that pose technical problems to solid timber products.

Product innovation

There are good examples of product innovation in this sector and opportunities to increase efficiency further are readily available, but have a high investment cost. A method which improves mechanical properties of standard particleboards or fibreboards has been recently developed in Austria. The technology, Dascanova Technology, can also save up to 30% of raw materials (wood particles, resin and other chemical components) and on the energy required for production processes (e.g. fibre drying). To innovate, the science skills challenges from the forest and timber products industry needs to be resolved and supported with strong technical skills, knowledge of multidisciplinary fields of science and critical thinking.

Investing in skills

In this sector, training has a history of in-house delivery. While some enterprises use the skill standards, the use of government funding to implement the national training package is low. In 2010 - 11, enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications by this sector decreased nationally by 56% compared to the previous year (refer to the National and State Enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications tables in Section Three and Appendix III).

In 2011, Carter Holt Harvey finalised a major upgrade of its Myrtleford plywood mill in Victoria, creating about 160 high-skill jobs. This development has increased demand for skilled workers in wood panel products at the mill. The training package competencies support the skills required in this workforce and will be implemented at a site level through their enterprise-based RTO.

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Wood panel and board productionWorkforce development needs



Electrician, plumber, fitter and mechanic

People with these skills are increasingly absorbed nationally by booming industries such as mining.

Industry will continue to undertake campaigns to attract apprentices and skilled tradespeople to this industry.


Technical skills of new and existing operators in using new sector-specific technologies

This sector integrates in-line and highly technical manufacturing processes and requires commensurate skill levels from operators.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to support mentoring programs for newer operators with the support of more experienced operators/supervisors.


Experts in chemical use and handling

The use and handling of chemicals is a highly specialised and regulated area. Dealing with binding agents, this sector has to ensure it is compliant with operational health and safety standards and environmental regulations.

ForestWorks ISC will ensure skill standards reflect specialised and regulated nature of this work.




Industry has up to two years following the commencement of legislation to establish due diligence systems (skills and processes) and comply with its requirements. Understanding the precise impact of the skills required by industry remains a priority for ForestWorks ISC in 2012.


There is an increased focus on production and cost efficiencies to ensure competitiveness in a globalised economy. The market is also driving an increased interest in energy use, water use minimisation and the recycling or selling of generated residues. Skills for undertaking life cycle analysis and carbon accounting will become imperative for all organisations.

The Advanced Diploma in Forest Industry Sustainability includes skill standards for carbon accounting at enterprise level.National databases/frameworks with large applicability will be essential for wider implementation of life cycle analysis.

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Section two: timber merchandising



Economic activity in this sector is determined by the consumption of timber products nationally and internationally, and the volume of imports and exports varies according to domestic production and demand, product availability and exchange rates.

The national decline of new housing starts and the persistently high Australian dollar have introduced higher competition and new challenges to this sector. The industry has been challenged by the lower domestic demand for timber products and the large volume of timber products imports from Asian countries, which hit the market with lower prices due to the exchange rate. Still further, there are instances of a shift in the nature of supplier - distributor - customer relations such as some of the largest end-users of timber products starting to import products directly, leaving local merchants out of the transaction loop.

As a result, wholesale timber prices have been reducing regularly and merchants are now reluctant to carry the stock levels of a product while it is reducing in price. This puts pressure on both wholesale and trade to perform on a ‘just in time’ basis.

The critical importance of knowledge and communication skills

The outlook continues to feature an intensively competitive environment, ever-increasing customer expectations, an increasingly complex portfolio of products and services and a more global and integrated supply chain. In this context, merchants at all levels in this sector are required to adapt to new ways of working and new approaches of problem solving and communication. As people represent an essential part of business in this sector, and a source of key capabilities, distributors must now focus on acquiring and building those skills that will differentiate them in this competitive market.

To support ongoing skills development in the area of effective customer relations and communication, ForestWorks ISC has a skill standards project in this sector to address aspects of customer service and product knowledge (leveraging expertise and advice services).

Analytical skills leverage competitiveness

The sector is under pressure to increase its capacity to broaden customer insights, improve and accelerate decision making, identify and respond to market dynamics, and operate more efficiently. Analytic technologies and tools are also of great value and it is important that people and processes adapt to and embrace analytics.

Sector compositionTimber merchandising is operated via two major channels: retail and trade merchants selling to the public, DIY market and builders; and wholesalers, manufacturers, importers and exporters. Retail and trade merchants stock a broad range of local and imported timber products (comprising dressed boards, mouldings, flooring, cladding and decking), panel products (plywood, MDF and particleboard), engineered wood products (LVL, I-Beams and laminated beams) and also large stocks of builders’ hardware. Wholesalers, manufacturers, importers and exporters sell, import and/or export large volumes of hardwood and softwood products, sawn and moulded products plus large volumes of softwood framing, as well as large volumes of panel products and engineered wood products, and distribute them through the merchant sector, or directly to the building industry.


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Harnessing online platforms and new ways of communicating

Information technology has also a transformative role for this sector by creating new opportunities and competitive advantages. The growing acceptance of online platforms provides distributors with low-cost, flexible access to the latest technologies and frees employees from non-value-added activities. Social networking, location-based services and new ways of collaborating and sharing information online are changing the ways individuals and organisations interact. The sector will need to consider developing complex digital skills.

Suppliers (or primary and secondary producers) also expect merchants to offer knowledge, on their behalf, throughout the distribution channel to the end users through services such as product training, employee training/installation advice, product display and promotional material. The merchants’ knowledge and skills are critical for the efficient use of these products and for the marketing of new products, especially given that new developments in engineered wood products occur at a fast rate.

Skills for sustainability in a low-carbon economy

Similar to other sectors, the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011 exposes merchants to the need to acquire skills that enable the tracking of legal evidence about the raw materials’ origins, production controls and transactions.

Investing in skills

In this sector, training is traditionally delivered in-house or acquired from providers with a range of industry training packages on their scope. In most cases, these non-industry-specific structured training programs have not met the sector’s product knowledge needs. Enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications by this sector increased nationally by 25 per cent in 2010 - 11 compared to the previous year. A growth in enrolments occurred in Victoria for both Certificate II and III in Timber Merchandising and in Queensland for Certificate II. For additional details regarding the national and states enrolments in government-funded Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications refer to the tables in Section Three and Appendix III.

ForestWorks ISC encourages employers and employees to take up timber merchandising qualifications from within the FPI10 training package and is in the process of developing new competency standards to address product knowledge in the wholesale sector and incorporate qualifications for exporters.

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timber merchandisingWorkforce developments needs



Mobile equipment operator, stock inventory officer, sales/marketing representative (sales assistant, salesperson, retail supervisor) and warehouse manager

The main factors causing skill shortages in this area are associated with competition for labour from other retail sectors. Many people, particularly in regional communities, are not aware of the types of jobs available in this sector. The sector reports that there is a lack of young people entering this area.

The industry will work closely with career advisors in schools and in employment placement centres such as Job Services Australia (JSA) to ensure that jobs available in this sector are advertised. The industry will continue to engage with career promotion experts. Promote qualifications to advance work pathways through this sector.

Timber yard operator Timber yard operators require timber and merchandising knowledge; however some enterprises are not yet recognising the value of qualifications for this occupation or are not aware that appropriate units of competency exist.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to work to increase awareness of the units of competency relevant to these occupations.

Track and forklift driver People with these skills are increasingly absorbed nationally by booming industries such as mining.

ForestWorks ISC will continue to promote the value of traineeships in this sector and support industry-focused promotional activities to underline the benefits of working in this industry.

Skills gaps (skills gaps in existing workforce)


Traditionally, this sector has not expected formal qualifications as a prerequisite for employment or provided formal training for employees once employed. Consequently, trainers with specific product-related knowledge are rare in the VET sector.

ForestWorks ISC will work with industry to promote a training culture within the sector. If viable, ForestWorks ISC will develop relevant qualifications or units of competence.ForestWorks ISC to investigate the skills requirement to address product knowledge in this sector.

Analytical skills This sector operates in a highly competitive environment with a more complex portfolio of products and services and a more global and integrated supply chain. Merchants at all levels need to be equipped with skills that allow them to identify and respond to market dynamics.

ForestWorks ISC will investigate the analytical skills requirements to support decision making in this sector.

Experts services in demand

Expert in career promotion

This sector is characterised by opportunities in the sales and marketing area, which is particularly valuable in regional areas where similar jobs are scarce. As with other sectors in this industry, attracting young people is challenging.

The industry will continue to engage with career promotion experts and industry associations to promote jobs in this sector.

Import and export agents with timber knowledge

For international transactions, the sector generally engages specialised agents in importing/exporting commodities, many of whom do not have knowledge about timber. Moreover, the introduction of illegal logging legislation will require knowledge of Australian standards for assessment of imported products.

ForestWorks ISC will monitor the impact of legislation for skill and knowledge demands.


Skills for implementing due Diligence code of practices (illegal logging legislation)



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Section three: current impacts of training packages

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The use of skill standards and qualificationsForestWorks ISC is contracted by the Australian Government to develop, maintain and continuously improve the Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package and the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package.

FPP10 Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package has seven qualifications and 80 industry-specific units aligned to operational streams in pulping operations and papermaking operations.

FPI11 Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package contains 25 qualifications with 316 industry-specific units across the following six industry sectors:

Forest growing and management

Harvesting and haulage

Sawmilling and processing

Timber manufactured products

Timber merchandising

Wood panel and board production

Both training packages provide a framework of qualifications that aligns with occupations or occupational levels, based on units of competency that define the skills required to fulfil particular functions in the industry.

Skill standard review process Over the past year continuous improvement projects have been completed and implemented in both training packages resulting in changes to both.

An ISC upgrade to the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package further strengthened sustainability skills already embedded in the training package, by adding units addressing policy and process design and implementation in relation to sustainability priorities in the Diploma of Pulp and Paper Process Management. Additional sustainability units from the Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry Sustainability were also added as electives in the Diploma to ensure full coverage of the industry.

The revised Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package FPI11 version 1 incorporates the following continuous improvement projects completed in 2011:

Revised tree felling units

New forest operator units and skills sets

New and revised four wheel drive units and skills set

New pole saw unit for cutting materials in a mill environment

FPI11 marked the completion of a three-year continuous improvement cycle and a significant body of work to revise the training package to reflect contemporary work practices and job roles. In addition to the projects listed above, the following projects have been completed since ForestWorks ISC became custodian of the FPI05 Training Package in 2008:

Mechanical harvesting skill sets

Timber truss and frame

Diploma unit review

Chainsaw unit review

Flexibility of qualification packaging rules

Skills for sustainability

FPI11 marks the conclusion of the three-year continuous improvement cycle and the commencement of the next cycle from 2011 to 2014.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) learning as a pathway The training package provides a common framework for enterprises and RTOs to collaborate on workforce and skills development solutions. Vocational training in our industry relies on strong partnerships between training providers and enterprises, with enterprises providing on-the-job trainers and mentors, and RTOs facilitating the framework for formal recognition and knowledge transfer. For trade level and highly technically skills RTOs provide significant off-the-job training through both on-site and off-site delivery.

The number of qualification enrolments, as distributed by National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and quoted in this report, does not represent the wide range of skills development activities that are undertaken in our industry. To reflect the full extent of skill levels, measures of skill development should acknowledge:

Unit-by-unit completion

Clusters of units

Skills sets

Professional development activities not directly linked to units

Often skills development is undertaken to fulfil immediate operational requirements rather than for the longer term benefit of formal qualification.

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Data collected by the VET system does not capture the extent of training and workforce development in the industry, nor does it reflect the breadth and depth of skill development undertaken in the industry. For these reasons skills recognition is a critical part of skills development in the industry.

Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry Sustainability

The forest and timber products industry has always embraced environmental sustainability. This reflects the reality that the viability of the industry relies on ongoing commitment to sustainable practices in a productive and well managed environment. New levels of community liaison, reporting and environmental management systems in relation to carbon inventory and compliance requirements for certification schemes require new skills. The Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry Sustainability provides the units to both environmental management skills and leadership skills for managers. In 2012 ForestWorks ISC will develop online resources to support three units and has received funding from the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) to carry out this project.

Government-funded enrolments

Actual total course enrolments in government-funded VET activity have remained stable in the forest and timber products industry across both training packages. In the 12 months between 2009 and 2010, enrolments decreased by 1%. Due to the structural readjustment of the industry between 2009 and 2010 there has been patchy growth. Of these enrolments, the majority (48%) were in the 30-59 years age bracket, with 24% from the 20-29 years age bracket. Enrolments

for entry workers in the 15-19 years age bracket makes up 10% of all enrolments. This reflects an industry where training is predominantly accessed by existing workers within the workplace.

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)

Training providers are to the facilitation of workforce and skills development in the forest and timber products industry. ForestWorks ISC supports a training provider network comprised of training providers with FPP10 or FPI11 on their scope of registration. The key focus is to provide support for our industry’s training provider network to be effective in the provision of skills development of the workforce.

ForestWorks ISC uses various mechanisms to communicate and engage with training providers and RTOS to provide professional development, information and advice. These mechanisms include meetings and workshops for RTO managers and trainers, newsletters, a dedicated website, email alerts regarding training package changes, participation in training package projects and funding opportunities (including National Workforce Development Fund, EBPPP and WELL broker projects) and interaction at organisational level. Planning is underway for an increased focus on regional provider networks from 2012.

Training providers are consulted in the development of competency units and resources, and they provide advice throughout the continuous improvement process of training package development. ForestWorks ISC supports training providers to continue to be active and responsive contributors to enterprise efforts in workforce development. Training providers have specific expertise in the design and delivery of workplace education and training and this is utilised for workforce development.

ForestWorks ISC liaises with industry to increase the uptake of formally recognised training. Some of the strategies include:

Promoting the benefits of having a formally trained workforce to increase productivity and flexibility

Working with training providers to provide flexible training solutions for enterprises

Using existing networks and associations to facilitate training solutions across enterprises and the training provider network

These strategies support RTOs by developing consistent student demand and volume, which is vital to ensuring ongoing viability for delivering training in this industry.


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table 1: national Enrolments in Government-Funded Forest and Forest Products Industry training Package Qualifications (2008-2010)

2008 2009 2010 % change 2009 to 2010

Forest Growing and ManagementFPI10105/FPI10199 - Certificate I in Forest and Forest Products 65 12 21

FPI20105/FPI20199 - Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management 1,460 1,729 1,596

FPI30105/FPI30199 - Certificate III in Forest Growing and Management 674 781 1,086

FPI40105/FPI40199 - Certificate IV in Forest Operations 41 87 163

FPI50105/FPI50199/FPI50299/FPI0399/FPI50599/FPI50799 - Diploma of Forest and Forest Products 16 20 78

Total - Forest Growing and Management 2256 2629 2944 12%

Harvest and HaulageFPI20205/FPI20399 - Certificate II in Harvesting and Haulage 312 328 531

FPI30205/FPI30399 - Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage 1,116 780 596

Total - Harvest and Haulage 1428 1108 1127 2%

Sawmilling and ProcessingFPI30705 - Certificate III in Sawdoctoring 44 60 42

FPI30805 - Certificate III in Woodmachining 60 74 69

FPI20305/FPI20699 - Certificate II in Sawmilling and Processing 480 597 466

FPI30305/FPI30699 - Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing 523 768 598

Total - Sawmilling and Processing 1107 1499 1175 -22%

timber Manufactured ProductsFPI20505/FPI20499 - Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products 65 84 65

FPI30505/FPI30499 - Certificate III in Timber Manufactured Products 208 155 135

FPI40205 - Certificate IV in Timber Processing 59 34 34

Total - Timber Manufactured Products 332 273 234 -14%

Wood Panel and Board ProductionFPI20405/FPI20299 - Certificate II in Wood Panel Products 167 96 32

FPI30405/FPI30299 - Certificate III in Wood Panel Products 98 99 53

Total - Wood Panel and Board Production 265 195 85 -56%

timber MerchandisingFPI20605/FPI20599 - Certificate II in Timber Merchandising 92 29 46

FPI30605/FPI30599 - Certificate III in Timber Merchandising 76 52 55

Total - Timber Merchandising 168 81 101 25%

Pulp and Paper ManufacturingFPP10101 - Certificate I in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 60 60 86

FPP20101 - Certificate II in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 85 123 170

FPP20201 - Certificate II in Pulp and Paper Services 0 1 3

FPP30101/FPI30201 - Certificate III in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 222 146 135

FPP40101/FPI40201 - Certificate IV in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 85 81 72

FPP50101 - Diploma of Pulp and Paper Industry Operations 9 0 0

Total - Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 461 411 466 13%

total 6,017 6,196 6,132 -1%

Source – NCVER (2012) Table 1 indicates that the highest numbers of enrolments are in the Forest Growing and Management sector with certificate II and certificate III qualifications accounting for almost 41% of total enrolments.

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Section Four: Future directions for endorsed components of training packages

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Responding to industry’s emerging workforce prioritiesThe ForestWorks ISC strives to ensure that training package skills standards align to current and emerging job roles. This is achieved through our strong relationships with industry and is formalised through the Skills and Employment Council (SEC) structure, which provides the national mechanism for feedback, review and validation for the Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package. This structure allows for widespread input during the process of development and review of training standards, as well as industry-supported endorsement. The diverse needs of the industry are supported through flexible qualifications that allow enterprises to select from a range of industry-specific units, as well as units drawn from other industries for specialist roles. The national mechanism for feedback, review and validation of the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package is via the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Skills Development Unit (PPISDU). This unit coordinates employer and employee representatives across the industry and ForestWorks ISC meets with this group four times per year to work with the industry on skills issues. In addition, ForestWorks ISC and the PPISDU carry out site-based and region-based activities to support skills development at enterprise and industry level.

Enterprise engagement is at the core of training package continuous improvement programs. Projects are identified and prioritised using data collected through interconnected networks and through activities including enterprise visits, committee meetings, working groups and our annual industry conference. The data collected is validated internally within ForestWorks ISC, with feedback from Industry Training Advisory Boards and SEC members.

The continuous improvement projects completed and integrated into the FPI11 Training Package included four new forest operator units aligned to specific environmental criteria; revised tree felling units; a skill set containing new and revised four wheel drive units; a new pole saw unit for application in sawmilling and wood panel production. In addition the packaging rules for FPI60111 Advanced Diploma of Forestry Industry Sustainability, released in FPI05 version 3, have been revised to improve flexibility.


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Mapping of training packages to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)

The ACSF provides a national approach to the identification of the core skill requirements in personal, community, work and training contexts. It provides a common reference point for describing and discussing performance and can be used to map skill requirements of training and skills needs of learners, and provide a common reference to describe adult performance. Over the next three years ForestWorks ISC will undertake the DIISRTE Mapping of Training Packages to the ACSF project.

Strategies to support the Foundation Skills Training Package (FSTP)

Over the next 18 months ForestWorks ISC will undertake the Strategies to Support the Foundation Skills Training Package project, which will provide resources to identify the foundation skills development required to support workers adapting to meet the challenges of the changing nature of the workplace.

The development and implementation of the Foundation Skills Training Package is designed to ensure that underpinning foundation skills are effectively and consistently addressed through vocational training. For many workers undertaking vocational qualifications, the extent of support available for the development of foundation skills will directly affect their achievement of vocational outcomes.

Both of the above projects will provide for more explicit language, literacy and numeracy skills in competency standards and guidance for trainers in supporting learners to progress and achieve vocational learning outcomes. The benefits of enhanced foundation skills include improved self reliance and greater opportunities to build workers’ vocational skills to achieve better productivity within enterprises.

Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL)

ForestWorks ISC has one of six WELL brokers. The WELL program is designed to link enterprises and RTOs to improve

the language, literacy and numeracy skills of the enterprise’s workforce. In 2012 ForestWorks ISC’s WELL brokerage activity will focus on several areas, which include: supporting retrenched workers in Tasmania as they seek new employment; numeracy and computer literacy within the frame and truss sector; and regional strategies in Western Australia and the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

Building on skill sets

Skill sets consist of a single unit or combinations of units from endorsed training packages which provide targeted skills required to address a specific industry skills need. Skill sets usually provide a pathway into further training. Initially 10 machine operator skill sets were introduced to the Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package in 2009. Over the past three years the value of these skill sets has been recognised in the workplace and further skill sets have been incorporated recently, including:

Fire salvage

Four wheel drive

Native forest operator

Plantation forest operator

Soil and water protection (roading)

Skill sets provide flexible training pathways to train new and existing workers to meet specific skill gaps. For example, the fire salvage skill set may be used to upskill workers to safely salvage wood product following a forest fire. The value of skill sets has been recognised across all industries more broadly and this is reflected in government increasingly funding skill sets. ForestWorks ISC will continue to identify and expand industry-specific skill sets to create pathways into qualifications.

Strategies to improve productivity

The strategies engaged by ForestWorks ISC to support skilled workers include increasing and improving access to training, promoting funding opportunities and developing competency standards that reflect current and emerging work practices.

The ongoing continuous improvement of both training packages aims to improve access to formal qualifications through increased flexibility and standards that reflect current and emerging work practices. Flexibility of qualifications and the introduction of on-the-job training that is supported by skills sets, across a diverse range of job roles and in a variety of workplace applications, allow enterprises to embrace emerging technologies.

Workforce priorities addressed by the training package

The following projects will be scoped to establish priorities and timelines for the continuous improvement plan over the next three-year review cycle.

All sectors:

Review of the Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry Sustainability

Fatigue management

Integration of language, literacy, numeracy and technical skills

Forest growing and management and harvesting and haulage:

Fire management operations

Log truck driver skill set

Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage qualification review

Grading logs

Small business management

Cording and matting

Sawmilling and processing:

Review of sawdoctoring and woodmachining qualifications

New and emerging technology

Timber treatment

Stacking timber

Wood panel and board production, timber merchandising and timber manufactured products:

Timber wholesaling/retailing

Timber merchandising

Pulp and paper manufacturing:

Operator maintenance skills

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case Study: using WEll training to instigate cultural change

A wood products company manager who worked with ForestWorks ISC for many months to implement a significant WELL program talks about WELL training:

“We’ve used WELL training to change the culture across our workplace. We found that there were some general problems with the ways that we all communicated, with issues such as intolerance. People just didn’t know how to work in a team and they’d say things like, ‘I can’t work with you – you don’t do things the way I want you to’ or ‘you’re too slow’. Some people just didn’t think about the ways that their behaviour affected others. There was lots of whispering about people, name calling, talking behind backs, and then we had an incident on Facebook. Sometimes we have issues around WorkCover, too. If an employee was on a Return to Work program, for example, there would often be resentment about that person not pulling their weight. All these sorts of issues created a workplace where people didn’t communicate effectively and that meant that safety and productivity were affected. It’s changing slowly and the WELL training has certainly made a difference.”

ForestWorks ISC continually scans industry for potential changes that may impact training package priorities. One example is the report by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry into the Australian forestry industry. The report identified key drivers of potential growth for the industry, which included the certainty of wood supply, the recognition of carbon stored in wood and the recognition of the value of wood products. If this growth is realised, it would lead to an expansion in the industry and would, in turn, mean that training package priorities would require reassessment in light of this expansion.

Innovation

Innovative developments (such as new technology, carbon offsetting and biofuel) are considered during the scoping stage of each project to evaluate the extent to which the project will need to incorporate specific skills to support future development.

Enterprises continue to introduce new technologies to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage. Typically technology is introduced to improve workplace safety, efficiency, quality and to maximise product output while minimising resources. Increasingly computer-based equipment is being installed in processing plants and used in forest management. The technology is becoming more complex with robotics, GPS tracking and micro chips used to track logs to ensure chain of custody certification. Workers continue to need new skills in order to interact with and operate computer equipment and interpret computer-generated instructions.

As the industry embraces new sustainability principles, a more advanced level of reporting will be required. Environmental management systems will become more prevalent, in particular in relation to carbon inventory and reporting systems. Compliance requirements for certification schemes will also demand higher LLN skills from workers at all levels of the industry.

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The table below outlines current and future projects in the industry according to information sourced from media reports, enterprises, industry news, conferences and forums, as well as from discussions with stakeholders

Appendix I: current and future projects

Project type Project description

Capacity and capability development projects Gunns limited’s construction of Bell Bay Pulp Mill in Tasmania is the largest investment in processing of forest

fibre in Australia’s history. The construction of the mill is designed to utilise state-of-the-art technology.

dongwha timbers’ sawmill in Bombala. New South Wales is expanding its operations with the construction of a

state-of-the-art, automated and computerised green mill, drying kilns, impregnation plant and planer, as well as the

construction of surrounding infrastructure. The project is scheduled to finish in December 2012.

In November 2011, davids timber launched a new innovative light organic solvent preservative treatment plant

in Victoria.

carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia redeveloped its Myrtleford facility in north-east Victoria into

the largest plywood mill in Australia utilising state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. The facility opened for

operation in 2011.

kimberly-clark Australia has announced significant investment upgrades over the next two years at each of its

new manufacturing sites across New South Wales and South Australia greatly increasing its capability to make

innovative products and reduce carbon emissions.

A new pine sawmill, ravenshoe timbers, is to be commissioned in northern Queensland. The sawmill will

access plantation-based resources and it is projected to create more than 30 jobs in the Mareeba region.

Forests carbon offsetting projects Forest, sheep and irrigated crop farmers in Tasmania have chosen to register native forests to receive income

streams from carbon offsets. Fourteen farmers in Australia are to be issued with verified carbon credits.

In north-east Tasmania, private plantations are being integrated into farms to address agricultural emissions in

the emerging carbon economy. Participating farms are enterprises in prime lambs and trade cattle area, irrigated

cropping and sheep, dryland grazing and dairy.

Wood biofuel projects licella, a subsidiary of Ignite Energy, will produce biocrude oil from woody materials and other biomass. A pilot

plant, which was in operation for three years in Somersby, New South Wales, has been moved to a commercial

demonstration stage with full production to start in 2015-16.

Virgin Australia Partners will use plantation mallees from Western Australia to develop sustainable aviation

biofuel. A demo-scale facility is being built and a commercial scale plant could be operational by 2014.

South East Fibre Exports, a woodchip mill in New South Wales, plans to generate pellets from timber waste.

Energy Parks Australia Pty is partnering with Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation to develop infrastructure for

energy parks to produce next generation biofuels from multi-biomass sources including wood waste.

‘Carbon-negative’ electricity projects Pacific Pyrolysis is building a ‘carbon-negative’ electricity pilot-scale plant at one of its existing suburban waste

facilities in Melbourne. The plant will convert municipal organic and wood waste into electricity and biochar.

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The following are some of the latest technological developments in the timber manufactured products sector where innovation is enhancing the value of traditional products.

Innovative timber building technologies are becoming increasingly advocated and adopted in multi-storey constructions around the world. These technologies incorporate laminated veneer lumber and, increasingly, cross laminated timber and other innovative uses of timber.

Increased use of wood plastic composites and the development of wood hardening technologies to transform plantation-grown softwoods into viable competitors for hardwoods is evolving as an area where innovation is sought. Scion has licensed a revolutionary wood fibre-plastic technology (pellet) that can be used by wood plastic composite manufacturers and compounders as reinforcer in applications such as decking, fencing, pallets, furniture, etc.

A revolutionary new powder coating technique that could help wood products regain market share against strong competition from metals, plastics and wood-plastic composites is being developed under a Forest & Wood Products Australia-funded project.

A new preservation technology designed to achieve better penetration of difficult-to-treat timber, such as heartwood of plantation pine, plywood and laminated veneer lumber, was recently invented by scientists and engineers from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Queensland, Carter Holt Harvey and Solvents Australia. The process does not swell the timber as other treatments can, and the solvent used during the process is fully recovered.

A new wood treatment process that uses a type of alcohol instead of copper-based chemicals, ‘kebonization’, is being commercialised. A large, full-scale plant has opened in Norway and applications include decking and piers, cladding and roofing, window frames, plus indoor flooring and furniture.

The use of wood fibre from purpose-planted forests is increasingly gaining value in non-traditional applications such as bioenergy, biofuels, bioproducts and biochemicals where possibilities for innovation are ongoing.

Appendix II: Innovation and highlights of recent technological developments that add value to timber manufactured products

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Victorian Enrolments New South Wales Enrolments

Queensland Enrolments South Australia Enrolments Western Australia Enrolments Tasmania Enrolments Northern Territory Enrolments

2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010


FPI10105/FPI10199 - Certificate I in Forest and Forest Products

1 2 64 10 52 6 15

FPI20105/FPI20199 - Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management

1,075 992 527 92 88 113 10 413 727 1 1 12 294 217 217 6 11

FPI30105/FPI30199 - Certificate III in Forest Growing and Management

351 490 601 21 2 8 52 284 11 7 154 213 141 143 13 52 5 4

FPI40105/FPI40199 - Certificate IV in Forest Operations 14 69 43 2 2 39 30 7 7 5 25 18 11 19

FPI50105/FPI50199/FPI50299/FPI0399/FPI50599/FPI50799 - Diploma of Forest and Forest Products

2 3 2 3 3 4 23 9 9 40 4 3 9

total - Forest Growing and Management 1441 1555 1174 179 104 163 65 469 1070 11 8 8 170 239 206 459 244 297 5 10 26

Harvest and Haulage

FPI20205/FPI20399 - Certificate II in Harvesting and Haulage 115 172 297 1 5 17 158 94 133 19 10 19 47 84

FPI30205/FPI30399 - Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage 204 326 183 15 7 11 490 223 133 91 17 15 12 17 33 304 190 221

total - Harvest and Haulage 319 498 480 16 12 28 648 317 266 91 17 15 31 27 33 323 237 305

Sawmilling and Processing

FPI30705 - Certificate III in Sawdoctoring 8 6 9 3 8 8 6 15 7 16 19 8 4 3 3 7 9 7

FPI30805 - Certificate III in Woodmachining 27 22 20 17 19 28 11 18 17 1 1 5 4 3

FPI20305/FPI20699 - Certificate II in Sawmilling and Processing

99 326 229 299 196 196 11 34 25 34 15 8 37 26 8

FPI30305/FPI30699 - Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing

79 73 131 116 71 103 274 599 336 8 1 13 22 10 12 24 14 3

total - Sawmilling and Processing 213 427 389 435 304 335 302 666 385 24 21 22 60 28 23 73 53 21

timber Manufactured Products

FPI20505/FPI20499 - Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products

9 50 4 8 18 36 40 15 24 1 8 1

FPI30505/FPI30499 - Certificate III in Timber Manufactured Products

83 55 66 25 38 35 98 60 31 2 2 3

FPI40205 - Certificate IV in Timber Processing 17 5 8 1 3 24 31 25 1 10 1 1

total - timber Manufactured Products 109 110 78 34 59 95 169 100 56 1 20 4 4


FPI20405/FPI20299 - Certificate II in Wood Panel Products 39 17 12 5 21 14 20 20 9 82 45 11

FPI30405/FPI30299 - Certificate III in Wood Panel Products 21 21 18 16 11 14 35 25 4 17 32 16 9 10 1

total - Wood Panel and Board Production 60 38 30 21 11 14 35 25 4 21 14 37 52 25 91 55 12

timber Merchandising

FPI20605/FPI20599 - Certificate II in Timber Merchandising 53 5 17 21 8 6 18 13 23 3

FPI30605/FPI30599 - Certificate III in Timber Merchandising 24 34 47 10 1 2 42 17 5 1

total - timber Merchandising 77 39 64 31 9 8 60 30 28 3 1

total 2,621 3,060 2,673 716 499 643 1,279 1,607 1,809 147 63 46 298 346 288 966 598 644 5 10 26

Source: NCVER (2012)

The total enrolments for each state and territory include enrolments in both Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications and Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package qualifications (2008-2010).

There were no enrolments in the government-funded delivery of Forest and Forest Products Industry Training Package qualifications in the Australian Capital Territory (2008-2010).

Enrolments in Forest and Forest Products Industry training Package Qualifications (2008-2010)

Appendix III: Enrolments in training packages – national and state

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Victorian Enrolments New South Wales Enrolments

Queensland Enrolments South Australia Enrolments Western Australia Enrolments Tasmania Enrolments Northern Territory Enrolments

2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010


FPI10105/FPI10199 - Certificate I in Forest and Forest Products

1 2 64 10 52 6 15

FPI20105/FPI20199 - Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management

1,075 992 527 92 88 113 10 413 727 1 1 12 294 217 217 6 11

FPI30105/FPI30199 - Certificate III in Forest Growing and Management

351 490 601 21 2 8 52 284 11 7 154 213 141 143 13 52 5 4

FPI40105/FPI40199 - Certificate IV in Forest Operations 14 69 43 2 2 39 30 7 7 5 25 18 11 19

FPI50105/FPI50199/FPI50299/FPI0399/FPI50599/FPI50799 - Diploma of Forest and Forest Products

2 3 2 3 3 4 23 9 9 40 4 3 9

total - Forest Growing and Management 1441 1555 1174 179 104 163 65 469 1070 11 8 8 170 239 206 459 244 297 5 10 26

Harvest and Haulage

FPI20205/FPI20399 - Certificate II in Harvesting and Haulage 115 172 297 1 5 17 158 94 133 19 10 19 47 84

FPI30205/FPI30399 - Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage 204 326 183 15 7 11 490 223 133 91 17 15 12 17 33 304 190 221

total - Harvest and Haulage 319 498 480 16 12 28 648 317 266 91 17 15 31 27 33 323 237 305


FPI30705 - Certificate III in Sawdoctoring 8 6 9 3 8 8 6 15 7 16 19 8 4 3 3 7 9 7

FPI30805 - Certificate III in Woodmachining 27 22 20 17 19 28 11 18 17 1 1 5 4 3

FPI20305/FPI20699 - Certificate II in Sawmilling and Processing

99 326 229 299 196 196 11 34 25 34 15 8 37 26 8

FPI30305/FPI30699 - Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing

79 73 131 116 71 103 274 599 336 8 1 13 22 10 12 24 14 3

total - Sawmilling and Processing 213 427 389 435 304 335 302 666 385 24 21 22 60 28 23 73 53 21


FPI20505/FPI20499 - Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products

9 50 4 8 18 36 40 15 24 1 8 1

FPI30505/FPI30499 - Certificate III in Timber Manufactured Products

83 55 66 25 38 35 98 60 31 2 2 3

FPI40205 - Certificate IV in Timber Processing 17 5 8 1 3 24 31 25 1 10 1 1

total - timber Manufactured Products 109 110 78 34 59 95 169 100 56 1 20 4 4


FPI20405/FPI20299 - Certificate II in Wood Panel Products 39 17 12 5 21 14 20 20 9 82 45 11

FPI30405/FPI30299 - Certificate III in Wood Panel Products 21 21 18 16 11 14 35 25 4 17 32 16 9 10 1

total - Wood Panel and Board Production 60 38 30 21 11 14 35 25 4 21 14 37 52 25 91 55 12


FPI20605/FPI20599 - Certificate II in Timber Merchandising 53 5 17 21 8 6 18 13 23 3

FPI30605/FPI30599 - Certificate III in Timber Merchandising 24 34 47 10 1 2 42 17 5 1

total - timber Merchandising 77 39 64 31 9 8 60 30 28 3 1

total 2,621 3,060 2,673 716 499 643 1,279 1,607 1,809 147 63 46 298 346 288 966 598 644 5 10 26

Source: NCVER (2012)

2008 2009 2010


FPP10101 - Certificate I in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 60 60 86

FPP20101 - Certificate II in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 85 123 170

FPP20201 - Certificate II in Pulp and Paper Services 0 1 3

FPP30101/FPI30201 - Certificate III in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 222 141 130

FPP40101/FPI40201 - Certificate IV in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 85 81 72

FPP50101 - Diploma of Pulp and Paper Industry Operations 9 0 0

total - Pulp and Paper Manufacturing 461 406 461

national Enrolments in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry training Package Qualifications (2008-2010)

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The forest, wood, paper and timber products industry is divided into seven sectors, specifically those in the resources sectors (Forest Growing and Management, Harvesting and Haulage), in the processing sector (Sawmilling and Processing), in the manufacturing sector (Wood Panel and Board Production, Timber Manufactured Products, Pulp and Paper Manufacturing) and in the market and services sector (Timber Merchandising).


Native forest companies

Forest plantation companies

Silvicultural contractors

Forest departments

Forest conservation and recreation

Farm forestry enterprises

Carbon sink forest enterprises

Plantation establishment and management companies

Nurseries

Related enterprises, suppliers, support and services associated with this sector include: forest services; farm forestry support enterprises, forestry and farm planning services; forestry equipment and machinery suppliers

Harvesting and Haulage

Logging contractors

Fire wood cutting contractors

Any company identified that participates in the felling and haulage of trees

Haulage contractors

Bush-based maintenance services

In-field wood chipping

Full time logging road building/maintenance contractors

Related enterprises, suppliers, support and services associated particularly with this sector include: harvesting machinery suppliers; forestry road construction contractors


Hardwood sawmills

Softwood sawmills

Wood chip mills

Timber treatment plants (drying and preservation)

Wood-based biorefinaries including bioenergy (heat and electricity) facilities, biofuel and charcoal plants

Pellets manufacturers

Eucalypt oil distilleries

Mulch, compost, animal bedding producers

Maintenance contractors

Related enterprises, suppliers, support and services associated particularly with this sector include: timber preservation equipment and research; timber processing equipment suppliers including chipping, debarking, sawing, sorting, drying, transporting equipment; transport services; packing, strapping and stapling equipment suppliers


Timber, wood-based and paper-based products trade and retail outlets

Timber. wood-based and paper-based products wholesalers

Wood-based and paper-based products Import and export companies that deal with timber and timber related products

Timber and paper recycling outlets

Related enterprises, suppliers, support and services associated particularly with this sector include: marketing services


Truss and frame enterprises (roof, floor and wall)

Manufacturers of engineered timber products (laminated veneer lumber, laminated strand lumber, I-Beams, glue laminated timber)

Timber machining enterprises (dressed, kiln-dried and/or seasoned sawn timber for housing applications such as flooring, furniture, cabinetry, internal joinery, laminated short-lengths timber components)

Door, door frame, window and window frame manufacturers

Timber dressing/moulding enterprises for decorative timber products

Furniture manufacturers

Wooden pallets and containers manufacturers

Other timber component manufacturers (wooden gates and fences, cupboards, coffins)

Poles/pylons producers

Sleeper producers

Wood recyclers (manufacturers of high-value products from reclaimed wood)

Related enterprises, suppliers, support and services associated particularly with this sector include: machinery and related manufacturing products equipment suppliers; handles and dowels suppliers; hardware and building materials suppliers; truss and wall frame equipment suppliers; woodworking machinery suppliers


Engineered timber flooring manufacturers

MDF enterprises

Particle board enterprises

Plywood enterprises

Other hardboards, softboards and fibreboards enterprises

Veneer manufacturing enterprises

Companies producing laminated products

Related enterprises, suppliers, support and services associated particularly with this sector include: adhesives and chemicals


Pulping and paper manufacturing enterprises (including recycling)

Fine paper manufacturing enterprises

Tissue manufacturing enterprises

Newsprint manufacturing enterprises

Card and corrugated board manufacturing enterprises

Pulp mill integrated biorefinaries

related employment common across all industry sectors

Transport services

Equipment maintenance services

Companies that deal with industry standards

Green electricity providers

Companies that deal with safety equipment

Companies that provide safety related services

Companies that deal with abrasives

Companies that deal with adhesives

Companies that deal with timber design

Consultants

Companies that deal with ducting and dust control

Forest products research / research and development

Laboratory services

Education and training

Engineering and technical support

Appendix IV: Scope of each industry sector

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Appendix V: report on previous continuous improvement activity

Brief summary of change Industry imperatives for change

Date submitted to NSSC

Date endorsed by NSSC or ISC upgrade

Release date on TGA

A major review of the chainsaw and

tree felling units

To address technology advancements,

safety and environmental issues

11/16/2011 12/8/2011 1/7/2012

Development of units and skill set for

forest operator practice induction to

cover heritage, silviculture, biodiversity

and, where possible, align to licence

and legislative requirements across

Australian jurisdictions

To support induction training of forest

operators in the areas of heritage,

silviculture and biodiversity across

jurisdictions

11/16/2011 12/8/2011 1/7/2012

Revise existing four wheel drive units

and develop two new competency units

to address skills gaps with respect to

complex 4WD operations including

winching and map reading

New skills due to changed technology

require modified techniques to ensure

operators enter and leave forest

environment safely

11/16/2011 12/8/2011 1/7/2012

New unit cut material with a pole saw

to address skills gap in the wood panel

products and sawmilling sectors

To address an industry risk associated

with cutting/removing blockages from

processing machinery safely

11/16/2011 12/8/2011 1/7/2012

Revised packaging rules for FPI60111

Advanced Diploma of Forest Industry

Sustainability

To increase flexibility of packaging rules

to align with a broader range of job roles

within the industry

11/16/2011 12/8/2011 1/7/2012

Developed new skill set for

fire salvage operations

To provide standards to quickly up skill

workers post forest fire and maximise

recovery of resources

11/16/2011 12/8/2011 1/7/2012

Brief summary of change Industry imperatives for change

Date submitted to NSSC

Date endorsed by NSSC or ISC upgrade

Release date on TGA

ISC upgrade to add new sustainability

units of competency into FPP50110

Diploma of Pulp and Paper Process

Management

To broaden the opportunity for

leaders across the industry to access

sustainability skills

ISC upgrade ISC upgrade 7/14/2011

This report provides a stocktake of changes made to the endorsed components of training packages over the past year. More detailed information can be found in the mapping summary in the training packages, which can be found on www.training.gov.au (TGA).

FPI11 Forest and Forest Products Industry training Package

FPP10 Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Industry training Package

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The development of this Industry Skills Scan has been accomplished through an ongoing process of data collection, evidence gathering, peer testing, reviewing and validating information.

The information has been gathered throughout the year via all of ForestWorks ISC’s industry engagement activities as outlined in the ForestWorks ISC annual business plan. This provides a wide range of contact points, consultation and communication with industry and training experts across Australia and all industry sectors.

Systematic research of media sources and other relevant publications, as well as a careful analysis of the accessed data, was also used in the data collection and presentation process.

The information is assembled into a comprehensive document over the December and January period and sent to a wide range of individuals for comment and validation.

This report is circulated to the Skills and Employment Council members, including state and territory-based industry advisory bodies, State Training Authorities, registered training organisations and other interested industry stakeholders, including the New Zealand Forestry Industry Training and Education Body.

In 2012, ForestWorks ISC will continue to operate its standard data collection and consultation processes in order to have access to information and industry intelligence regarding the progress of existing and proposed industrial developments and the needs that arise from them. These processes include work by:

Skills and Employment Council

Industry Training Advisory Committees in each state and in the Northern Territory and others such as the Stimulate Training Demand Working Group and the Pulp and Paper Industry Skills Development Unit

Engagement with industry associations, unions and enterprises

Industry journals and websites to develop research ideas and scans

Collection of data, research and analysis

Enterprise visits

Public and industry media

Relevant industry organisations

Australian Forest Contractors Assoc. Ltd

Australian Forest Growers

Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)

Australian Workers Union

Cabinet Makers Association

CFMEU – Forestry and Furnishing Products Division

Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA)

Food Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council

Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA)

Forest Industries Association of Tasmania

Forest Industries Federation WA (FIFWA)

Forest Industry Council (Southern NSW) Inc.

Forest Products Commission WA

The Institute of Foresters Australia

Pulp and Paper Industry Skills Development Unit

Primary Industries Training Advisory Council NT

Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association

Timber Communities Australia Ltd (TCA)

Timber & Building Materials Association (Aust) Ltd

Timber Merchants Association (Vic)

Timber Queensland Ltd

Victorian Forest Contractors Association (VFCA)

Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI)

Appendix VI: Methodology

List of abbreviations

ABARES Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics

and Sciences

ISC Industry Skills Council

JSA Job Services Australia

ACSF Australian Core Skills Framework LCA Life Cycle Analysis

APVMA Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority LLN Language, Literacy and Numeracy

CCA Copper Chrome Arsenate NCVER National Centre for Vocational Education Research

CIP Continuous Improvement Plan NWDF National Workforce Development Fund

DEEWR Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations PPISDU Pulp and Paper Industry Skills Development Unit

DIISRTE Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and

Tertiary Education

RTO Registered Training Organisation

SEC Skills and Employment Council

EBPPP Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program SET project Skills Enhancement and Training project

EWPAA Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia STA State Training Authority

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations TGA training.gov.au

FSTP Foundation Skills Training Package UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

GIS Geographic Information System VET Vocational Education and Training

GPS Global Positioning System WELL Workplace English Language and Literacy

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